India has strongly criticized Switzerland's remarks concerning the protection of minorities and freedom of expression within India, delivering a sharp rebuke at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. The response came after a Swiss delegate called on the Indian government to implement "effective measures to protect minorities and uphold the rights to the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media".

Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, characterized the Swiss comments as "surprising, shallow, and ill-informed". Tyagi made these comments during the General Debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner at the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council. He suggested that Switzerland should instead concentrate on resolving its own internal issues, such as "racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia".

Tyagi emphasized that as the current president of the UNHRC, it is especially important for Switzerland to avoid presenting narratives that are "blatantly false and do not do justice to the reality of India". He went further by offering India's assistance to Switzerland in addressing these domestic challenges. "As the world's largest, most diverse, and vibrant democracy with a civilisational embrace of pluralism, India remains ready to help Switzerland address these concerns," Tyagi stated.

The backdrop to these sharp exchanges is the otherwise strengthening relationship between India and Switzerland. Earlier in the year, both countries finalized the long-awaited Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), with Switzerland ratifying it in July. This agreement, set to take effect in October, is projected to bring $100 billion in investment to India over the next 15 years and generate one million jobs.

In addition to addressing Switzerland's comments, Tyagi also used the UNHRC platform to strongly condemn Pakistan's misuse of international forums to spread falsehoods. He referred to Pakistan as a "terror addict and failed state". Responding to Pakistani delegates, Tyagi asserted, "Our measured and proportionate response to the Pahalgam attack made that sufficiently clear. We need no lessons from a terror sponsor, no sermons from a persecutor of minorities, no advice from a state that has conjured its own credibility".