Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Swiss President Guy Parmelin with three speciality Indian cheeses and a handcrafted Kashmiri walnut wood panel after the Swiss leader arrived in India for his first State visit.
The three cheeses – Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor – reflect India’s evolving cheese-making tradition and regional culinary influences.
Gulmarg draws inspiration from French Brie and features a soft, creamy texture with a white rind.
Makers use pasteurised cow’s milk to produce the cheese, which carries earthy and mushroom-like flavours. It secured a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil.
Konark takes inspiration from French Tomme-style cheese and combines a rustic natural rind with a supple texture. Its earthy and savoury profile ends with a lemony note.
The cheese won Gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards in Norway and Silver in Switzerland in 2025.
Yeoor reflects the influence of Swiss Gruyère and undergoes ageing for around eight to nine months.
The process develops nutty, sweet and herbaceous flavours. Its rind features rose petals and fennel, giving the cheese an Indian-Alpine identity.
Kashmiri Walnut Wood Showcases Traditional Art
PM Modi also presented Parmelin with a wall panel made from premium Himalayan walnut wood.
Kashmiri artisans carved the panel by hand in deep relief, depicting landscapes, flora, people, horses, carriages and scenes of village life.
The artwork reflects Kashmir’s long-established woodcarving tradition and the cultural influences that have shaped its distinctive craftsmanship.
PM Modi gifted Parmelin’s wife a Kutchi shawl and a Sadeli box, highlighting Gujarat’s traditional weaving and decorative arts.
The Surat-made Sadeli box features geometric designs created by carefully assembling contrasting materials.
The Kutchi shawl uses handwoven fabric, geometric patterns and supplementary-weft techniques.
President Guy Parmelin arrived in India on Monday for a three-day State visit at PM Modi’s invitation.
The visit marks his first State visit to India and his second trip to the country this year after he participates in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026.
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