‘India: The Flavour of Chai and Change’ in Lugano, Ticino
Remarks by Ambassador at the Opening Ceremony 
17 April 2026

Excellencies,

Mr. Michele Foletti, Mayor of Lugano city

Mr. David Mills, Interim President of Franklin University Switzerland

Mr. Tobias Meier, President of the Swiss Fair Trade Association

Ms. Monica Zurfluh, Head of International Trade, CC-Ti

Mr. Pietro Leemann, Chef and gastronomic philosopher

Mr. Drado Stevanovic, Director of the Lugano OtherMovie Film Festival

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today in the beautiful city of Lugano.

My sincere thanks to the organizers and our gracious hosts for bringing us together for this meaningful exchange under the theme “India: The Flavor of Chai and Change.” It is a theme that perfectly reflects India today.

I also warmly welcome all distinguished guests present here and thank you for your time.

In India, chai is more than just a drink. It represents warmth, hospitality, and everyday connection. Change, on the other hand, reflects transformation, innovation, and progress.

Together, they tell the story of a country that is deeply rooted in tradition, yet confidently moving forward—and increasingly engaging with partners around the world, including Switzerland.

India and Switzerland share a strong and growing partnership built on innovation, sustainability, and mutual respect. Our cooperation continues to expand, especially with the recent EFTA–India Free Trade Agreement, which opens new opportunities in areas such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing.

At the regional level, the relationship between India and Ticino, particularly Lugano, holds great promise. There is strong potential for collaboration in finance, clean technologies, education, research, and culture.

Organizations like the Chamber of Commerce of the Canton of Ticino play an important role in strengthening business connections and helping build long-term partnerships.

Academic exchange is another key pillar. Institutions such as the University of Italian Switzerland have welcomed a growing number of Indian students and researchers, enriching both our communities and deepening mutual understanding.

Our cultural ties are equally vibrant. Events like the Locarno Film Festival have introduced Indian cinema to wider audiences. The recognition of Shah Rukh Khan in 2024 is a powerful example of this growing cultural connection.

Switzerland has also long been close to Indian hearts, thanks to filmmaker Yash Chopra, whose work beautifully showcased Swiss landscapes to generations of Indians.

Beyond this, food and music continue to bring us closer—through shared experiences, creativity, and appreciation of each other’s traditions.

As we gather here today, it is clear that strong partnerships are built not only on economics, but on people, culture, and shared understanding.

The growing engagement between India and Lugano reflects this spirit—and a shared vision for the future.

I am confident that today’s discussions will open new avenues of cooperation and further strengthen the friendship between our communities.

Thank you.