India, Liechtenstein agree to strengthen bilateral ties

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Liechtenstein’s Prince Alois on bolstering ties between the two countries and furthering the momentum in the bilateral partnership in New Delhi on October 27.

• Prince Alois was on a State visit to India. He was accompanied by Hereditary Princess Sophie.

• This was the second visit of Prince Alois to India in 2026. He earlier visited New Delhi in February 2026 to attend the AI Impact Summit. He had previously visited India in 2010 and 2018.

• The two leaders welcomed the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed in March 2024 and in force since October 2025, of which Liechtenstein is an important member. 

• TEPA is an important milestone in bilateral economic relations with an ambitious shared objective of mobilising $100 billion investments into India over 15 years and facilitating creation of one million direct jobs in India by EFTA countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

• The two sides discussed the possibility of a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

Key facts about Liechtenstein:

• The Principality of Liechtenstein is located between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps and is a winter sports destination.

• Liechtenstein is one of only two double-landlocked countries worldwide, along with Uzbekistan. It means their neighbours are also landlocked countries.

• Covering an area of 160 square kilometres, it is the fourth smallest state in Europe and the sixth smallest in the world. 

• Liechtenstein has a population of approximately 40,000.

• Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein.

• Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy based upon democratic-parliamentary principles.

• The official Head of State is Prince Hans‑Adam II who assumed the regency on November 13, 1989. 

• On August 15, 2004, Prince Hans‑Adam II appointed Hereditary Prince Alois as Deputy Head of State enabling him to perform official duties as the Head of State for Liechtenstein.  

• The government is the executive authority consisting of the Prime Minister and four ministers.

• All five members of the government are proposed by Parliament and appointed by the Reigning Prince. A legislative term lasts four years.