Friday, May 27 2005 15:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Geneva: As part of its intensified efforts to garner support for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, India will raise the issue with Switzerland which has stuck to a neutral position and maintained that it will not endorse any candidacy as long as the modalities of the Council's enlargement were not settled.

President A P J Abdul Kalam, who is on a four-day State visit, will put forth India's position during wide-ranging talks with his Swiss counterpart Verena Schmid who will also be hosting a banquet in his honour.

The focus will be on boosting Indo-Swiss trade ties, which were "definitely below potential", Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, Shashi U Tripathi told accompanying Indian journalists.

She said the two sides would discuss ways of- strengthening cooperation in science and technology and pharmaceuticals.

Indian exports to Switzerland last year (2004) touched 548 million Swiss Francs while Swiss exports to India was 1019 million Francs. This does not include Swiss gold bullion exports to India, which was to the tune of three billion Francs. From the Indian side, this figure does not include software services to the tune of $100 million during this period.

During his stay in Switzerland, Kalam will be addressing the Swiss Parliament.