Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George
atInauguration of Festival of India in Berne, October 6, 2018
Excellencies, Friends of India, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Let me begin by welcoming your Excellencies and Friends of India to this evening. I acknowledge the presence of President of Canton of Fribourg HE Georges Godel, and State Chancellor HE Danielle Gagnaux-Morel with us today. HE is to start a visit to India next week. Welcome Sir.
This festival of India is part of a yearlong celebrations that the Indian Embassy in Berne is organizing all across Switzerland as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the signing of Friendship Treaty between India and Switzerland signed in 1948. Through this festival our endeavour is to connect Himalayas with Alps; India with Switzerland. We have a variety of artists from India performing during September to December 2018, to commemorate the 70th anniversary. Today we are in Berne. Here we try to showcase some of the traditional cultural diversity of India.
This year, we are also celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year.
In recent years, there has been a deeper engagement of India and Switzerland in recent years. As you are aware, Prime Minister Modi was in Switzerland in June 2016. Swiss President was in New Delhi on a State visit in August 2017 during which we issued a forward looking comprehensive Joint Statement which calls for a ‘long standing dynamic partnership’. 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 we had the Foreign Minister of Switzerland H.E. Dr. Ignazio Cassis visiting New Delhi and the historic city of Varanasi. I accompanied him in his meetings in Delhi. We maintain regular engagement with the political leadership in Switzerland and its Cantons.
Equally important is our business engagement with Switzerland which is growing rapidly. Our bilateral trade today is nearly USD 20 billion. The engagement between Indian and Swiss companies are deepening. Same is the case with other areas such as culture, movies, yoga, Ayurveda, tourism, cuisine and people to people exchanges.
As you are aware the Embassy has set up an Indian Professionals Network (IPN) and Indian Cultural Network (ICN) which organize regular events.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that I see an India connect in every corner of Switzerland. Almost every museum in this country has some India connection. Last month I visited the Swiss Games Museum in Montreux. It has a unique collection of games which originated in India. I am happy that we have a small presentation on the museum by the Director Dr. Ulrich Schädler. I welcome him and his team here today.
Every year several hundreds of thousands of Indians travel to Switzerland to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of Switzerland. Each year several thousands of Swiss nationals travel to India for tourism and business. Almost every city in Switzerland has an Indian restaurant and also group of citizens who believe in yoga and practice it every day. Indian film industry continues to look at Switzerland as a shooting destination. The list of engagement is long and growing.I urge you to keep in contact with us through social media including through our website, Facebook and twitter.
I once again welcome you to this festival. Have a good evening.
Thank you.
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