India,Switzerland to enhance cooperation in fight against tax fraud

India and Switzerland have emphasized their willingness to further enhance cooperation in the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion. Both the countries also acknowledged the importance of a global level playing field for effective implementation of the international standards on tax transparency. 

In a Joint statement issued in New Delhi yesterday on the ongoing visit of Swiss President Doris Leuthard Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mrs. Leuthard noted with satisfaction the signing of the Joint Declaration in November 2016 on the implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information. President Leuthard briefed Prime Minister Modi about the ongoing parliamentary procedure in Switzerland. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the steps taken by the Swiss side to expedite the execution of tax information sharing request by India. 

He also expressed hope that Switzerland will implement the recommendations of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information in Tax Matters to further improve mutual administrative assistance in tax matters.

Switzerland welcomed India’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime. Prime Minister thanked President Leuthard for



Switzerland’s continued support to India’s membership in the various multilateral export control regimes. 

According to joint statement, both Leaders urged all countries to work towards disrupting terrorist networks and financing to demonstrate a collective political will to implement the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important component to realize India’s growth target and that India especially welcomed Swiss investors. Both Leaders expressed their strong commitment to delivering on the Paris Agreement and to cooperate in formulating the guidelines by 2018 for its robust operationalization. 

The settlement brings an end to the case Darweesh v Trump, a nationwide class-action suit filed by two Iraqi men, detained at New York's JFK airport following the ban. They were represented by numerous rights groups including the powerful American Civil Liberties Union.

It was the first legal challenge to the original executive order, and had previously succeeded in gaining an injunction on removing anyone from the US on the basis of the ban.