Srinagar: Swiss Ambassador to India Maya Tissafi on Friday called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here and discussed issues of mutual interest and scope for collaboration, an official said.
The meeting explored opportunities for the exchange of best practices in sustainable tourism, hospitality, vocational education and training, horticulture, dairying, and eco-friendly food processing, according to a spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir government.
During the interaction, the chief minister emphasised the importance of adopting best practices in these sectors to further strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-economic development and ensure long-term prosperity for its people, he said.
Abdullah highlighted the government’s vision of integrating innovative and sustainable approaches into regional planning and human development frameworks aimed at creating employment opportunities, enhancing productivity, and improving the overall quality of life.
Tissafi, who is on a visit to Kashmir, appreciated the natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and immense economic potential of Jammu and Kashmir.
She expressed interest in exploring avenues for greater collaboration and knowledge sharing, the spokesperson said.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth, he added.
The Swiss ambassador on Thursday called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“Productive meetings in Srinagar with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the scope for (Switzerland-India) collaboration in Kashmir — from sustainable tourism and vocational training to food processing and agriculture,” Tissafi said in a post on X.
The Switzerland ambassador said she was proud to share how Swiss expertise is contributing to the region’s development through the private sector, from tunnels and bridges to hydropower tech and joint research.
“And yes, great conversations in Kashmir do seem to come with a cup of kahwa on the side!” she added.
Tissafi also visited the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
“From Shahrukh Khan’s DDLJ (‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’) to ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’, Bollywood made both Switzerland and Gulmarg unforgettable on screen. Seeing Gulmarg for the first time, I could understand why filmmakers keep returning to these valleys,” she said.
She added that however, beyond the beauty, mountain regions also share common responsibilities — resilience, sustainable tourism and disaster risk reduction.
“This is why Switzerland and India continue to work together in the region, from a Himalayan glaciology collaborative programme at the University of Kashmir to cloud research with ETH Zurich. Along the way, I also had the opportunity to witness the artistry of Kashmir’s shawl and carpet makers, and it was just as beautiful as the landscape itself,” she said.
