India, Oct. 8 -- European countries are increasingly viewing India as a key hub for innovation and manufacturing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.

He said that new companies are entering India and are making the country their production, manufacturing, design, and research hub.

So far, about 1.6 lakh people have secured employment through the EFTA agreement, he told reporters on the sidelines of the India-EFTA Prosperity Summit.

The India-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) entered into force on October 1, 2025.

The four EFTA member States are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

"European countries see India as a major innovation and manufacturing hub,"...