New Delhi, Oct 05 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gifted three Indian cheeses — Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor — along with a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel to Swiss President Guy Parmelin, a gesture that highlighted India’s growing artisanal cheese-making tradition and its rich handicraft heritage.
Parmelin began his three-day visit to India on Monday. This is his first state visit to the country and his second visit this year, having previously attended the AI Impact Summit in February.
The selection of cheeses was notable given Switzerland’s global reputation as a cheese-making nation. By gifting Indian varieties to the Swiss head of state, the Prime Minister put the spotlight on India’s emerging presence in the premium dairy segment.
Gulmarg, a French-style cheese, is a heart-shaped, soft and creamy Brie made from pasteurised cow’s milk, with a snowy-white rind and earthy, mushroom-like notes. It won a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil, an international competition for cheese and dairy products.
The other two varieties, Konark and Yeoor, reflect India’s regional dairy diversity.
The Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel underscores India’s handicraft traditions, with walnut wood carving being a signature art form of Jammu and Kashmir.
