Swiss President Pascal Couchepin on Friday said his country will expand bilateral relations with India, particularly in the scientific and disaster management areas, as he began his week-long visit in Bangalore.

"We do hope to increase cooperation between Switzerland and India in scientific matters because this country is a great country with great future," he told reporters at the Bangalore airport.

A scientific cooperation agreement between Switzerland and India will be signed in Bangalore on Friday. State secretaries for scientific research and directors of the two main technical institutions of Switzerland are already in Bangalore in this connection.

Couchepin said Switzerland is seeking cooperation in information technology and biotechnology. "We do not like brain drains. We would like to improve and increase exchange between two equal partners in scientific matters," he said.

In New Delhi, the visiting leader will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and have wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on an entire range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

Couchepin, who is leading a high-level delegation, will also visit Hyderabad, Mumbai and undertake private visits to
Chennai and Mahabalipuram.