Diplomatic Cheese Exchange
Prime Minister Modi presents Swiss President Parmelin with award-winning Indian cheeses during state visit.
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Key Points
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All three cheeses were handcrafted by Eleftheria Cheese, an award-winning creamery based in Mumbai.
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Modi hosted Parmelin for lunch at Hyderabad House after their bilateral discussions, with a menu combining Indian and Swiss flavours.
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Parmelin’s three-day state visit was his second trip to India that year; he had previously attended the AI Impact Summit in February. He also received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
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Swiss President Parmelin was scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, who was to host an official banquet for him later that evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Swiss President Guy Parmelin with three award-winning Indian cheeses during his state visit to India, showcasing the country's growing cheesemaking talent. The gifts — Gulmarg, Konark, and Yeoor — were handcrafted by Mumbai-based Eleftheria Cheese and represent distinct styles inspired by European traditions, according to Free Press Journal.
The visit highlighted deepening ties between India and Switzerland, with bilateral talks covering transportation, infrastructure, and critical technologies. News18 reported that Modi hosted Parmelin for lunch at Hyderabad House after their discussions, while President Droupadi Murmu later hosted a ceremonial banquet featuring Kashmiri and Ladakhi cuisine.
Three Cheeses Tell a Story of Indian Craftsmanship
Gulmarg is a soft, Brie-style cheese that mirrors Swiss cheesemaking traditions. Konark draws inspiration from French Tomme varieties, while Yeoor is an aged, Gruyère-inspired cheese topped with rose petals and fennel. Free Press Journal noted these selections celebrate India's emerging dairy artisans and their ability to blend global techniques with local ingredients.
Modi's Gift Basket Blends Art, Craft, and Culture
Beyond the cheeses, Modi presented Parmelin with a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut-wood panel, reflecting India's traditional woodworking heritage. First Lady Caroline Parmelin received a Kutchi shawl from Gujarat and a Sadeli decorative box, both examples of India's textile and craft traditions.
A Banquet Merging Indian and Swiss Culinary Worlds
Modi's lunch at Hyderabad House combined Indian and Swiss flavors to celebrate both nations' cuisines. Later that evening, President Murmu hosted a more elaborate state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan featuring vegetables from Kashmir and Ladakh, according to Kashmir Observer and Rediff. The all-vegetarian menu showcased regional traditions rarely featured on the diplomatic circuit.
Parmelin's India Journey Spans Eight Months
This three-day state visit marked Parmelin's second trip to India in 2024. He had previously attended India's AI Impact Summit in February. The Swiss leader received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, underscoring the symbolic weight of diplomatic visits between the two democracies.
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