'Switzerland to act on principle of law on banking issues'
Sunday, 19 April 2009
NEW DELHI, Apr 18 (PTI): In the backdrop of the demand by India's main opposition BJP on bringing back money stashed in banks abroad, Switzerland Friday said it would always play according to the "principle of law" if any request about disclosure of bank accounts was made.
Talking to reporters here, Switzerland Ambassador Philippe Welti said as of now there were no such requests with his government.
"One has to first see the request," Welti said and added, "We would always play according to the principle of law, in case any such request was made."
Refusing to comment on BJP Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani's demand for bringing back money stashed overseas, he said, "I would not comment on what has been said in your election campaign. I do not judge whose voice matters."
Welti said Switzerland was going to revise bilateral laws pertaining to tax fraud and evasion, including new taxation policies. Provisions would be made in the mutual agreements with Governments for tax evasion and tax fraud, he added.
Defending the banking laws of Switzerland, he said, "The banks are supposed to know the customers and ask the origin of the funds. These are guarantees of honest banking."
Talking to reporters here, Switzerland Ambassador Philippe Welti said as of now there were no such requests with his government.
"One has to first see the request," Welti said and added, "We would always play according to the principle of law, in case any such request was made."
Refusing to comment on BJP Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani's demand for bringing back money stashed overseas, he said, "I would not comment on what has been said in your election campaign. I do not judge whose voice matters."
Welti said Switzerland was going to revise bilateral laws pertaining to tax fraud and evasion, including new taxation policies. Provisions would be made in the mutual agreements with Governments for tax evasion and tax fraud, he added.
Defending the banking laws of Switzerland, he said, "The banks are supposed to know the customers and ask the origin of the funds. These are guarantees of honest banking."