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Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George at the Sangham in Zurich Event in Rietburg Museusm on September 9, 2018

Posted on: September 09, 2018 | Back | Print

Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George 
at the Sangham in Zurich Event in Rietburg Museusm on September 9, 2018

Good Morning Everybody; Distinguished guests, Friends of India; Ladies & Gentlemen,

Thank you for inviting me for this event today.

I am happy to attend this event organized by Rietberg Museum to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship that India and Switzerland signed in 1948.

I am happy that I came to Switzerland at a time when both in India and in Switzerland we celebrate the 70th anniversary. I could participate in a series of events organized at the government level as well as at the cultural and people to people level. For the Embassy of India in Switzerland, Rietberg museum has been a partner.

At the government level, during the last few years we had a series of high level visits. Prime Minister Modi was in Switzerland in June 2016. Swiss President was in New Delhi on a State visit in August 2017. In January 2018, Prime Minister Modi was in Switzerland to deliver the opening key-note address at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. And in August this year, last month, we had the Foreign Minister of Switzerland H.E. Dr. Ignazio Cassis visiting New Delhi and the historic city of Varanasi, and Alice Boner Institute.

At the cultural and people to people level, we had a series of events, including some of the major events that Rietberg museum organized here. We had partnered in Yoga festival during the International Day of Yoga celebrations. Today, I am happy to note that kind of India connect that Switzerland has at the cultural and people to people level. Every Canton, every city and every small township in this beautiful country has something unique to offer. Almost every city in Switzerland has an Indian restaurant and also group of citizens who believe in yoga and practice it every day. Every museum in this country has some India connection, may not be at the level of Rietberg Museum, which is has a unique India connect. Every year several hundreds of thousands of Indians travel to Switzerland to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of India. Each year several thousands of Swiss nationals travel to India for tourism and business. Indian film industry, Bollywood, continues to look at Switzerland as a shooting destination.

This year,at Embassy of India, we are set to celebrate a Festival of India in several cities in Switzerland. We have a variety of artists from India set to perform in during September to December 2018, to commemorate the 70th anniversary. Last night, we inaugurated the Festival of India in Berne with a bouquet of Indian dances and music. In coming months we have more artists from India who will perform in Bern and other cities.

Once again congratulate the leadership of Rietberg museum and the Alice Boner Institute for their efforts in promoting India – Swiss cultural engagement.

Thank you.

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