Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi strongly rebuked Switzerland during the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), denouncing their comments on India as “astonishing, superficial, and ignorant.” Addressing the session, Tyagi stated that it was even more crucial for Switzerland, as the chair of the UNHRC, to avoid wasting the council’s time on such false statements that do not do justice to the reality of India. He further suggested that instead of criticizing India, Switzerland should focus on addressing its own challenges, such as “racism, systemic discrimination, and xenophobia.” Highlighting India’s diversity and democratic credentials, Tyagi emphasized that as the world’s largest, most diverse, and vibrant democracy, India, with its civilizational embrace of pluralism, is ready to assist Switzerland in addressing these concerns. Tyagi’s remarks underscore India’s insistence that discussions in the UN Human Rights Council should be based on facts rather than “false narratives.” He stressed that India expects its friendly nations to respect the integrity of the council and not waste time on unsubstantiated claims. The criticism comes after Switzerland made statements at the UN calling on India to take effective measures to protect minorities and uphold the rights to freedom of expression and media freedom.
