Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 October 2026 presented a curated selection of India's finest artisanal cheeses and a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel to Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who arrived in New Delhi on a three-day State Visit — his first official visit to India in that capacity. The gesture, rich in cultural symbolism, offered the leader of one of the world's foremost cheese-producing nations a taste of India's own emerging cheesemaking tradition.

Three Award-Winning Indian Cheeses

The gift of cheese carries particular diplomatic resonance: Switzerland is globally synonymous with dairy excellence, making the choice a confident statement of India's artisanal credentials. PM Modi selected three distinct varieties, each with an international pedigree.

The first, Gulmarg, is a French-style Brie — heart-shaped, soft and creamy, made from pasteurised cow's milk with a snowy-white rind and earthy, mushroom-like notes. It earned a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil, one of the world's most prestigious cheese competitions.

The second, Konark, is a French Tomme-style cheese featuring a rustic, natural rind, supple texture, and earthy, savoury flavours with a lemony finish. It won Gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards in Norway and Silver in Switzerland in 2025.

The third, Yeoor, is a mountain-style aged cheese inspired by Swiss Gruyere, matured for eight to nine months to develop nutty, sweet and herbaceous flavours. Its rose-petal and fennel-decorated rind gives it a distinctive Indian-Alpine character.

The Kashmiri Walnut Wood Wall Panel

Alongside the cheeses, PM Modi presented President Parmelin with a Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel — a showcase of Kashmir's centuries-old woodcarving heritage. Crafted from premium Himalayan walnut wood and intricately hand-carved in deep relief, the panel depicts traditional landscapes, flora, human figures, horses, carriages, and village life. Its artistry reflects Kashmir's distinctive creative traditions, shaped by indigenous and Central Asian influences over generations.

Gifts for President Parmelin's Wife

President Parmelin's wife received two gifts that spotlight Gujarat's rich artisanal legacy: a Kutchi Shawl and a Sadeli Box. The Sadeli Box, originating from Surat, features intricate geometric patterns created by precisely assembling and layering contrasting materials. The Kutchi Shawl is a vibrant handwoven textile distinguished by geometric motifs and supplementary-weft weaving — together, they represent the craftsmanship and ingenuity of Gujarat's artisans.

Background: Parmelin's Visit and India-Switzerland Ties

This is President Parmelin's first State Visit to India and his second visit this year, having previously attended the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026. The three-day visit is expected to cover bilateral trade, technology cooperation, and investment ties between the two nations. Notably, Switzerland has historically been among India's significant foreign investment sources, and this visit signals continued momentum in the bilateral relationship. The choice of culturally embedded gifts — spanning Kashmir, Gujarat, and India's artisanal dairy sector — reflects New Delhi's broader diplomatic practice of projecting soft power through craft and heritage.