India could become Europe’s top supplier amid growing concerns about Chinese products, according to Nik Gugger, chairman of the Swiss-India Parliamentary Group. In an interview, Gugger stressed India’s significant opportunity to penetrate the European market, especially at a time when European countries are increasingly wary of the influx of cheap Chinese goods.

“We can say this is India’s opportunity. The big opportunity. India can now, with their slogan, Incredible India,” Gugger told ANI. “There is an opportunity to show the world that we don’t need cheap products from other countries and we have a free trade agreement with them where we want to work together in high quality.”

European concerns about cheap Chinese products such as electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines are well documented. Gugger, currently in India, also stressed the importance of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed by India and the European Free Trade Association, comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. “It is a unique free trade agreement between four countries, which offers numerous opportunities for both sides,” he explained.

Gugger pointed to the mutual benefits of such agreements, and identified sectors such as health care, steel and dual education as key areas for potential growth. “We have good universities, colleges, high schools and vocational training centres, especially in Switzerland,” he added, underlining the robust cooperation in the field of education.

The inaugural TEPA event will be held in Mumbai this Sunday, marking a milestone in India-Switzerland bilateral relations. “Especially the synergy between Switzerland and India, because we have a friendship treaty. We are in the 76th year,” Gugger noted, highlighting the longstanding and growing partnership between the two countries.

(With input from agencies.)