Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois in New Delhi on Tuesday, as the European nation’s first state visit to India highlighted the growing focus on strengthening diplomatic, trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Hereditary Prince Alois, who is the Acting Head of State of the Principality of Liechtenstein, was accompanied by his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie, during the visit.
The royal couple was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi at a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Speaking on the sidelines of the reception, Prince Alois described his visit as historic and underscored the importance his country attaches to its relationship with India.
He also highlighted
the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which entered into force in 2025, as a significant milestone in bilateral engagement.
“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country,” Hereditary Prince Alois said.
“This historic visit bears testimony to the importance that Liechtenstein attaches to the relationship with India. The conclusion of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, TEPA, with India, which entered into force a year ago, marked a significant milestone in this regard,” he added.
VIDEO | Delhi: Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein receives ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Hereditary Prince Alois says, “I’m very honored to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the honorable President and the honorable Prime Minister of India for their gracious invitation and for their very warm welcome. This historic visit bears testimony to the importance that Liechtenstein attaches to the relationship with India. The conclusion of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, TEPA, with India, which entered into force a year ago, marked a significant milestone in this regard. We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further.”
(Source: PM Modi YT)
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/bIyFWTeOLF)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 27, 2026
Trade And Economic Cooperation In Focus
Prince Alois said both countries were determined to build on the momentum generated by the agreement and strengthen their relationship further, particularly through greater economic cooperation.
“We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further. In particular, we see tremendous potential in expanding our economic cooperation in areas such as innovation, advanced manufacturing, financial services, education and technology,” he said.
The Hereditary Prince added that India and Liechtenstein could bring together their complementary strengths across these sectors for the long-term benefit of both countries.
The visit comes amid growing engagement between India and Liechtenstein following the operationalisation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement in 2025.
The agreement has emerged as an important element of their economic engagement, with the visiting Prince emphasising the potential for further cooperation across multiple sectors.
President Murmu, PM Modi Receive Visiting Royal Couple
During the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie met members of the Indian delegation, while President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi interacted with the visiting Liechtenstein delegation.
The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, and Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, among other senior officials.
Chaudhary had earlier welcomed Prince Alois on his arrival in the national capital.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the official engagements in New Delhi include a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Jayant Chaudhary are also scheduled to call on the Hereditary Prince. Prince Alois is further scheduled to meet President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prince Alois Arrives In India With Business Delegation
Prince Alois arrived in India as part of an ongoing state visit accompanied by Hereditary Princess Sophie, a high-level official delegation and a business delegation comprising industry leaders.
The MEA said the visit would provide renewed impetus to bilateral relations.
In a post on X, the ministry described the visit as a new chapter in India-Liechtenstein engagement and said the Hereditary Prince had arrived in New Delhi following his visit to Vadodara.
He was received at the airport by Jayant Chaudhary.
Prince Alois arrived in Mumbai on Monday before travelling to Vadodara and subsequently New Delhi as part of the visit.
India and Liechtenstein established diplomatic relations in 1993 and marked the 30th anniversary of their bilateral ties in 2023.
Prince Alois had previously visited New Delhi in February 2026 to attend the AI Impact Summit. He has also visited India in 2010 and 2018.
According to the MEA, the visiting delegation is scheduled to conclude its state visit and depart India on Wednesday.
