Europa Star: Switzerland is globally admired for its precision, innovation and excellence in education and luxury. India is home to a vibrant creative economy and deep artisanal traditions. In your view, how can Switzerland and India shape a shared future in luxury and design?   Ambassador Maya Tissafi: Switzerland and India represent two distinct yet deeply complementary economies, also when it comes to the luxury and design sectors. Switzerland’s legacy of precision engineering, innovation and excellence – particularly in watchmaking and design – is recognised globally. India, on the other hand, offers a rich tapestry of artisanal heritage, creativity and cultural depth that has inspired generations of global designers. Together, these strengths create a fertile ground for collaboration.

Swiss luxury brands are increasingly engaging with Indian ateliers and craftspeople, whose mastery in embroidery, textiles and handwork has long supported haute couture and bespoke design. The upcoming dual editions of the Luxury Innovation Summit in Geneva and Mumbai underscore this synergy. By fostering dialogue between Swiss precision and Indian artistry, we can co-create luxury that is not only beautiful but also sustainable, inclusive and globally resonant.

The recent India-EFTA agreement marks a new era of economic cooperation. What specific opportunities does this open for Swiss luxury sectors – such as watchmaking, hospitality and sustainable design – in India?    The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is a landmark moment in our bilateral relations. We are confident that the agreement will open opportunities for Swiss luxury sectors, such as the ones that you mention - watchmaking, hospitality and sustainable design. With India set to phase out the 20% basic customs duty on Swiss watches over the next seven years, Swiss brands will become more accessible to a broader public. Further, Swiss excellence in hospitality and wellness can find new opportunities in India’s growing tourism and luxury resort sectors as the TEPA facilitates smoother investment flows and service exchanges, enabling Swiss and Indian firms to connect and grow.

Also, with shared commitments to sustainability, Swiss design firms specialising in eco-conscious architecture, interiors and materials can collaborate with Indian counterparts to shape the future of responsible luxury. Beyond trade, the agreement encourages innovation, protects intellectual property and promotes sustainable development – values that are central to the luxury industry’s evolution. It’s not just a trade pact; it’s a blueprint for long-term creative and economic partnership.

Maya Tissafi is the Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to India and Bhutan. She assumed her position in Delhi in September 2024.

The Luxury Innovation Summit is entering its seventh year in Geneva and will debut in Mumbai in early 2026. What role do you see such platforms playing in strengthening bilateral collaboration and connecting Swiss brands with India’s luxury consumers and creative leaders?

Platforms such as the Luxury Innovation Summit play an important role in deepening collaboration between Switzerland and India. By bringing together Swiss brands, Indian consumers and creative leaders, the Luxury Innovation Summit will contribute to fostering direct dialogue, cultural exchange and business partnerships. The debut of the Summit in Mumbai in 2026 is an important milestone as it not only showcases Switzerland’s commitment to engaging with India’s growing luxury market but also provides Swiss brands with unique insights into local preferences and emerging trends. Most importantly, the Summit will help build relationships that go beyond commercial interests.

Both India and Switzerland are deeply rooted in artisanal excellence. How do you envision collaborations between Indian artisan communities and Swiss luxury houses in areas like fine jewellery, textile innovation or timepiece detailing?   A collaboration between Indian artisan communities and Swiss luxury houses holds immense promise from blending centuries-old craftsmanship with precision innovation. The most promising fields are fine jewellery, textile innovation and timepiece detailing. In fine jewellery, the potential lies, for example, in co-branded lines that merge Indian artisanal techniques with Swiss design. In textiles, we could probably think of joint sustainability labs which focus on biodegradable dyes, zero-waste textile processes and preserving disappearing Indian crafts through tech-enabled processes.

In the field of timepiece detailing, Switzerland and India already work closely together. The Swiss Federation of the Watch Industry, for example, is conducting a series of exhibitions about Swiss competence in watchmaking in autumn 2025 in India. A Swiss-Indian bilateral collaboration in the aforementioned ways is not only about aesthetics, but also about preserving legacies, empowering artisans and elevating global luxury with a deeper cultural conscience. Swiss and Indian hands and minds together could define a new paradigm of luxury that’s soulful, sustainable and storied.

India’s promise... in 1957, in this archive extract from the Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie. Ernest Mayor, Favre Leuba’s sales director in the country, reports on the very high taxes on watch imports (100% that year). Nearly 70 years later, a free trade agreement is opening up new prospects.

India’s rise as a startup and technology powerhouse opens new doors for collaboration. How can Swiss research institutions, incubators or luxury-tech ventures engage more actively with India’s entrepreneurial landscape?  

India’s emergence as a global startup and tech powerhouse presents Swiss research institutions, incubators and luxury-tech ventures with exciting collaboration opportunities. Through Swissnex in India, we enable Swiss innovators to explore India’s vibrant innovation landscape through curated, ecosystem-driven experiences.

Our flagship programs support every stage of engagement. Market Discovery Camp (AIT) helps researcher-entrepreneurs assess the commercial viability of their applied research. Market Validation and Market Entry Camps (powered by Innosuisse) offer startups tailored support to test, adapt and scale in India. Our Corporate Innovation Program connects Swiss corporates to India’s dynamic startup networks.

With over a decade of cross-sector partnerships, we empower Swiss stakeholders to move from exploration to impact. India’s openness to global innovation makes it an ideal co-creation partner – and for those ready to engage, the opportunity is now.

Luxury often serves as a soft power tool for cultural diplomacy. From your diplomatic vantage point, how can Swiss cultural and luxury institutions foster greater mutual understanding and exchange with India?

Swiss products, with their creative designs and highly precise finishing, convince customers despite their relatively high pricing. The quality and essential design and practicality, together with innovative materials, compete successfully on a global level. “Made in Switzerland” is often understood as a promise by demanding customers. India is home to a rapidly expanding number of discerning consumers with the financial means to purchase quality brands of their liking. Swiss companies will have to further invest in their understanding of Indian consumption patterns. Only with impeccable business ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, can Swiss companies contribute to the excellent reputation of the “Swiss made” brand. With Indian brand ambassadors, Swiss companies have already been choosing well-known Indians who represent the values of their brand.

Both India and Switzerland are committed to sustainable development. How can Swiss luxury brands and Indian stakeholders together create new models of sustainability-driven luxury, grounded in values, innovation and local know-how?

Switzerland and India share a deep commitment to sustainable development. This presents a solid basis for a meaningful partnership in the luxury sector. Together, Swiss brands and Indian stakeholders can pioneer new models of sustainability-driven luxury. This could involve co-developing products that combine Swiss innovation in sustainable materials and processes with Indian expertise in traditional crafts and design. For example, partnerships could focus on responsible sourcing, circular economy practices and the integration of local, eco-friendly materials. Swiss and Indian stakeholders can jointly create luxury experiences that are not only desirable but also meaningful and responsible.