Srinagar, May 29: Switzerland’s Ambassador to India, Maya Tissafi, who is currently on a visit to the Kashmir valley, highlighted the growing collaboration between Switzerland and Jammu & Kashmir in areas such as sustainable tourism, climate research, infrastructure, vocational training and agriculture.
Sharing her experiences from the valley on X, the ambassador drew parallels between the scenic landscapes of Kashmir and Switzerland, saying Bollywood films had made both destinations iconic on screen.
“From Shah Rukh Khan’s DDLJ to Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Bollywood made both Switzerland and Gulmarg unforgettable on screen. Seeing Gulmarg for the first time, I could understand why filmmakers keep returning to these valleys,” she wrote.
The ambassador, however, said that mountain regions also shared common challenges and responsibilities, particularly in the areas of resilience, sustainable tourism and disaster risk reduction.
She said Switzerland and Kashmir were already working together in the region through initiatives such as a Himalayan glaciology collaborative programme at the University of Kashmir and cloud research with ETH Zurich.
During her visit, the ambassador also appreciated Kashmir’s traditional craftsmanship, including the work of shawl and carpet makers.
“Along the way, I also had the opportunity to witness the artistry of Kashmir’s shawl and carpet makers, and it was just as beautiful as the landscape itself,” she said.
The envoy held meetings in Srinagar with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and former minister Sajad Lone to discuss opportunities for collaboration in Kashmir.
According to the ambassador, discussions focused on sustainable tourism, vocational training, hospitality, food processing, agriculture and innovation in high-altitude climate studies.
She said Swiss expertise was already contributing to Kashmir’s development through private sector involvement in infrastructure projects, including tunnels, bridges and hydropower technology, besides joint research initiatives and dairy farming.
“The breathtaking mountains of Kashmir feel wonderfully familiar to a Swiss,” she wrote, adding that her visit also included a tour of Srinagar’s famous Nishat Garden and interactions over traditional Kashmiri kahwa.
The ambassador described the visit as a memorable introduction to the spirit of Kashmir and expressed optimism about expanding future cooperation between Switzerland and the region.
