| | OCTOBER 20268Germany's domestic intelligence agency has warned that Chinese high-tech products could pose security risks, citing concerns that data collected through such devices could potentially be transferred to Chinese state agencies.Sinan Selen, head of Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), raised the concerns during a hearing of parliament's intelligence oversight committee in Berlin on Monday. He said Germany should be increasingly cautious about its reliance on Chinese technology as the use of Chinese-made products expands across sectors."I already see substantial shortcomings that create potential for abuse," Selen said, pointing to the possibility that information collected by high-tech products could be passed on to "state agencies."According to Selen, such risks could extend beyond data privacy and cybersecurity. He warned that access to connected products could potentially enable the "shutdown of entire products," creating challenges for Germany's resilience and the availability of critical technologies.Concerns over Chinese technology have intensified in Germany as Chinese companies expand their presence in markets ranging from electric vehicles to consumer electronics, including robot vacuum cleaners. The developments have raised questions about data security, technological dependence and the potential vulnerability of connected devices. India and Switzerland established a partnership agreement on migration and mobility, opted to enhance Swiss market access for Indian exports, and reached an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy and defense after discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.Parmelin began his three-day visit to India this morning, marking his first official visit to the nation and his second for the year. He traveled to India to take part in the AI Impact Summit in February.According to reports, Modi mentioned that a number of significant decisions were made to increase market access for Indian exports to Switzerland and to further promote investment between the two nations.Switzerland serves as a significant economic partner for India within Europe. More than 330 Swiss firms are presently functioning in India across sectors like engineering, services, precision instruments, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, while Indian firms operate in Switzerland in areas including IT, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.The bilateral trade and investment relationships gained additional momentum with the enforcement in October of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member nations Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Modi stated that the TEPA serves as an "ambitious framework" for investment, innovation, employment, and collective prosperity. INDIA, SWITZERLAND EXPAND TRADE TIES; MIGRATION, MOBILITY PACTBizWireGERMANY WARNS CHINESE HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS MAY POSE SECURITY RISKS
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