The current diplomatic spat between Switzerland and India centers on over India’s minority rights remarks by Switzerland at the UNHRC.
According to the Economic Times (Sept. 10, 2025) , Switzerland, holding the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in September 2025, publicly urged India to take “effective measures to protect minorities and uphold the rights to freedom of expression and the media” during a session in Geneva.
India responded sharply, calling the Swiss remarks “surprising, shallow, and ill-informed.” The Indian delegation asserted India’s strong tradition of pluralism and emphasized its commitment to protecting minority rights, offering to help Switzerland address its own “racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia”.
The exchange became a public diplomatic spat, with India criticizing Switzerland for using its UNHRC presidency to propagate what it called “blatantly false” narratives about India, and dismissing Swiss criticism as unreflective of India’s social reality, reports the NDTV.
India’s statement at UN #HRC60 in response to Switzerland’s remarks!!
“Mr. President,
We would also like to respond to the surprising, shallow, and ill-informed remarks made by Switzerland, a close friend and partner.As it holds the UNHRC Presidency, it is all the more… pic.twitter.com/oNJoFarRDs
— India at UN, Geneva (@IndiaUNGeneva) September 11, 2025
