Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gifted Swiss President Guy Parmelin three Indian cheeses - Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor and a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel during their meeting in New Delhi.
The gifts highlighted India's growing cheese-making tradition and its longstanding handicraft heritage. President Parmelin began a three-day state visit to India on Monday, his first state visit to the country and his second visit to India this year.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
PM Modi gifted three Indian cheeses to Swiss President Guy Parmelin.
The cheeses were Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor.
Gulmarg received a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil.
Konark won Gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards and Silver in Switzerland in 2025.
Parmelin also received a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel.
Caroline Parmelin received a Kutchi shawl in a Sadeli box.
Three Indian Cheeses
Gulmarg:
Gulmarg is a French-style Brie made from pasteurised cow’s milk. It is soft and creamy, with a snowy-white rind and earthy, mushroom-like notes. It received a Super Gold award at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The gifts showcase India's contemporary artisanal cheese-making alongside traditional craftsmanship from Kashmir and Gujarat during a high-level India-Switzerland engagement.
Konark:
Konark is a French Tomme-style cheese with a rustic natural rind, a 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.
Yeoor:
Yeoor is a mountain-style cheese inspired by Swiss Gruyère. It is matured for around eight to nine months and develops nutty, sweet and herbaceous flavours. Its rind is decorated with rose petals and fennel, and its melting properties make it suitable for preparations such as fondue and grilled dishes.
Kashmiri Walnut Wood Panel
PM Modi also gifted President Parmelin a hand-carved Kashmiri walnut wood wall panel.
The panel is made from Himalayan walnut wood and features intricate deep-relief carving depicting traditional landscapes, flora, human figures, horses, carriages and village life. It reflects Kashmir’s distinctive woodcarving tradition and the craftsmanship of its artisans.
Kutchi Shawl and Sadeli Box
PM Modi also gifted a Kutchi shawl placed in a Sadeli box to Caroline Parmelin, the Swiss President’s wife.
The Sadeli box represents Surat’s decorative craftsmanship and features intricate geometric patterns made by assembling contrasting materials. The Kutchi shawl is a handwoven textile from Kutch, known for its geometric motifs and supplementary-weft weaving.
