Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George
at the Gala des Maharajas at Fribourg on April 28, 2018
Honourable President of the Canton of Fribourg;
Honourable President of Musique De Landwehr;
Dear Friends of India;
Ladies & Gentlemen, Good Evening;
Let me thank President of Musique De Landwehr for inviting me today. This is an invitation that I value. I am happy to participate in this music celebration with my wife and son.
I am happy to note that Musique De Landwehr is visiting India later this year as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Friendship Treaty that India and Switzerland signed in 1948. It is important to highlight that in fact the first treaty of friendship that India signed with any country after its independence was with Switzerland. Quoting my Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi I can tell that “in the last seven decades, our friendship has consistently seen an upward trajectory.”
At the political level, we maintain highest level of engagement with Switzerland. In the last 20 months, Prime Minister Modi had three summit level meetings with Presidents of Switzerland, in January this year in Davos with President Alain Berset, who is a proud son of Canton on Fribourg. Our relationship today is multifaceted with high level of economic cooperation, science and technology cooperation and cultural exchanges. Fribourg is one among the destinations of Indians travelling to Switzerland for tourism.
Switzerland today is a household name in India. Thanks to the Bollywood which spent considerable time shooting in this region. It has influenced Indian mind so much that when we see snow in films, many think they are in Switzerland. In fact, India has some of the best snow mountains in the world including the Himalayas, which means abode of snow.
Connection between Alps and Himalayas is another worthy story of friendship between India and Switzerland. We see growing presence of Himalayas and the spirituality linked to it in the form of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda in Switzerland. In this context I invite all of you to join the Embassy of India for the International Day of Yoga celebrations that it organizes in Switzerland on 21st June this year.
I am happy that the connection between our two countries is further strengthened through music with the visit of Musique De Landwehr to India later this year. Music is a great connector, particularly in a country like India, which is a land of music and culture.
India has a fascinating music history of several millennia and developed over several areas. Like its cultural diversity, its music is also diverse. It include multiple varieties of classical music, Hindustani and Karnatik, folk music, film music, Indian folk, Indian rock and Indian pop.
In addition, there is an amazing variety of bands such as world renowned performance at the beating the retreat ceremony in New Delhi every January wherethe Military Bands, Pipe and Drum Bands and Trumpeters from various Army Regiments besides bands from the Navy and Air Force take part.
Ladies and gentlemen, Let me conclude by saying, President Alain and histeam of Musique De Landwehr are welcome to India.
Thank you.
Berne
April 28, 2018
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