What Switzerland Said — and Why It Triggered Escalation

www.hinsoli.com September 10, 2025

1. Swiss Criticism at the UNHRC

On September 10, 2025, at the 5th meeting of the 60th UNHRC session, Switzerland — as the current Council president — publicly urged India to do more to protect minorities and uphold freedom of expression and media rights.

This was a fairly direct call for India to address concerns over its human rights situation.

2. India’s Strong Rebuttal

India’s diplomat, Kshitij Tyagi, responded forcefully, calling Switzerland’s remarks “surprising, shallow and ill-informed.” He added that Switzerland should focus on its own internal issues—such as racism and xenophobia—instead of commenting on India’s affairs. He also offered support to Switzerland in addressing its domestic challenges, reinforcing India’s position as a confident and mature democracy.

The strong tone of this response resonated widely online, where netizens praised it as a “masterclass in diplomacy.”

Summary at a Glance

Event	Detail
Swiss Comment	At UNHRC, urged India to better protect minorities and press freedoms.
India’s Reaction	Called the criticism “shallow and ill-informed,” and offered help instead.
Resulting Dynamics	Diplomatic tension with a confident Indian rebuttal gaining public attention.