At the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, India rebuked Switzerland for its remarks concerning the protection of minorities and freedom of expression within India. The Indian delegation, led by diplomat Kshitij Tyagi, Counselor at the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, characterized Switzerland's comments as "surprising, shallow, and ill-informed".

Tyagi emphasized that Switzerland, currently holding the UNHRC presidency, should avoid "wasting the council's time with narratives that are blatantly false and do not do justice to the reality of India". Instead, he suggested that Switzerland should concentrate on its own challenges, including "racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia". Tyagi offered India's assistance to Switzerland, stating that as the world's largest democracy, India is ready to help the European nation address these concerns. He affirmed India's commitment to pluralism, highlighting its diverse and vibrant democracy.

Switzerland had called on the Indian government to take effective measures to protect minorities and uphold the rights to freedom of expression and the media. India responded that Switzerland's remarks misrepresented the realities in India.

In the same session, India also criticized Pakistan, labeling it a "failed state" that survives on "instability and handouts" and accusing it of misusing the Council for political propaganda and sponsoring cross-border terrorism. Tyagi referred to Pakistan as a "dump truck of recycled lies".

India has a long history of combating racism and discrimination, viewing them as antithetical to humanity's core values. The Indian Constitution includes safeguards against racism and discrimination, reinforced by an independent judiciary, a pluralistic polity, a vibrant civil society, and free media. India has been at the forefront of the international fight against racism, with its philosophy considering the whole world as one family.

However, India faces its own challenges with discrimination and xenophobia. Some observers note a gap between India's stated principles and the treatment of minorities within the country. There are reports of increased abuses against minorities and critics, and discriminatory government policies. Some have noted a culture of hypocrisy, where some Indians who complain about racism abroad may act in a discriminatory manner towards minority groups in India.

Switzerland has taken steps to protect the rights of national minorities, including linguistic groups, Jewish people, and travelers. Switzerland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in 1998. The country continues to address the situation of national minorities and combat discrimination and intolerance. However, UN experts have noted that people of African descent in Switzerland experience racial discrimination in various aspects of their lives.