Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Modi Gives Swiss President Three Award-Winning Indian Cheeses
During a visit to India, Swiss President Guy Parmelin received three Indian cheeses from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The cheeses are called Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor.
They are made by a creamery in Mumbai.
Gulmarg is a soft, heart-shaped cheese inspired by French Brie.
It won a top award at a cheese competition in Brazil in 2026.
Konark is made in the style of French Tomme and has won awards in Norway and Switzerland.
Yeoor is inspired by Swiss Gruyère and is aged for about eight to nine months.
Its rind is decorated with rose petals and fennel.
Modi also gave Parmelin a carved walnut panel, and Parmelin’s wife, Caroline, received a Kutchi shawl in a Sadeli box.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Swiss President Guy Parmelin with Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor during Parmelin’s three-day state visit to India.
The cheeses were handcrafted by Mumbai-based Eleftheria Cheese and draw on French and Swiss cheese styles.
Gulmarg is a heart-shaped, Brie-style cheese made from pasteurised cow’s milk; it won Super Gold at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil.
Konark is made in the French Tomme style and won gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards and silver in Switzerland in 2025.
Yeoor is an Alpine-style cheese inspired by Gruyère, aged about eight to nine months and finished with rose petals and fennel.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented gifts to Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his wife, Caroline.
- What
- Modi gave Parmelin three Indian cheeses, a carved walnut panel, and gave Caroline a Kutchi shawl in a Sadeli box.
- When
- During Parmelin’s three-day state visit to India; he arrived in New Delhi on Monday. The articles do not give the calendar date of the visit.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The gifts highlighted Indian artisanal dairy and regional crafts; the cheese presentation was described as culinary diplomacy.
- Cheeses presented
- Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor
- Cheese maker
- Eleftheria Cheese, a creamery based in Mumbai
- Gulmarg
- Heart-shaped Brie-style cheese made from pasteurised cow’s milk; aged around two to three weeks, according to its maker
- Gulmarg award
- Super Gold at the 2026 Mundial do Queijo do Brasil
- Konark awards
- Gold at the 2023 World Cheese Awards in Norway and silver in Switzerland in 2025
- Yeoor
- Alpine-style cheese inspired by Swiss Gruyère, aged about eight to nine months and decorated with rose petals and fennel
- Other gifts
- A hand-carved Himalayan walnut panel from Kashmir for Parmelin, and a Kutchi shawl in a Sadeli box from Surat for Caroline
- Visit
- Parmelin’s first state visit to India; he arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit
Sources
Gulmarg, Konark and Yeoor: Indian Cheeses Gifted by PM Narendra Modi to Swiss President Guy Parmelin
PM Modi gifts Swiss president made-in-India cheese
PM Narendra Modi Gifts Indian Cheeses To Swiss President Guy Parmelin In Delhi: About Award-Winning Gulmarg, Konark And Yeoor
