Patrons

Philippe Welti

Philippe Welti was Swiss Ambassador to India (2009-2012), having previously served as ambassador to Iran and on numerous other diplomatic assignments, as well as on secondment to the Swiss Defence Department as Political Director.

Since retiring from the Swiss foreign service Philippe Welti has developed a variety of activities. His many roles include being vice-president of the INDIARY foundation, where he regularly contributes articles about India’s foreign policies, a co-founder of Share-an-Ambassador/Geopolitical Coaching and regularly writes and lectures on various geopolitical and geostrategic topics, as well as the founder and president of the Economic Chamber Switzerland-Iran.

Philippe Welti finds India the most interesting country in the world and remains in active contact with Indian institutions and individuals in the economic and cultural fields.

He cherishes his honorary association with SICC and regularly participates in and supports its activities.

Niklaus Samuel Gugger

Dr. h.c. Niklaus Samuel Gugger is the first Swiss parliamentarian of Indian origin. His Indian roots makes him have a natural interest in India’s prosperity and development. Nik is therefore not only the president of the Swiss-Indian parliamentary group in Switzerland but also nurtures a close association with the Indian and the Swiss-Indian business community in Switzerland, understanding their needs and voicing them and working for them as needs be. The Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce values his steadfast support and guidance as both synergizes efforts towards the shared goal of prospering business and relations between India and Switzerland. Beyond this, there is much more to Nik which can be found on his page here.

Chitra Narayanan

Chitra Narayanan served as Ambassador of India to Switzerland, Liechtenstein and The Holy See (2008-2013), and earlier to Turkey, Sweden and Latvia.

Currently Chitra Narayanan is an Independent Strategic Advisor for Think Tanks and Corporates on a broad spectrum of issues including diversity, corporate gender issues, cultural sensitivities, challenges facing professional women, creativity in strategic planning and training.

She is also a professional keynote speaker on current issues, women and leadership, diversity in the workplace, cultural insensitivity and its adverse influence on business and policy decisions. Her areas of specialization are Asia, Turkey and Europe.

Chitra Narayanan has a long association with SICC and has described it as the bedrock of commercial and trade relations between Switzerland and India, and a window into the vibrant relations and dynamics that exists in this sector which continues to facilitate and forge new links.

Note: In case someone would like to contact the Patrons, please get in touch with the SICC Management.

Dominique Hasler

Dominique Hasler served eight years in the Government of Liechtenstein: first as Minister of Home Affairs, responsible for public and state security, then as Minister of Foreign Affairs, leading on international trade, multilateral diplomacy and global governance. Under EFTA, she negotiated free trade agreements across Europe and Asia, including the conclusion of the landmark Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India.

As President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, with its 46 member states, she steered the organisation through a major geopolitical rupture and presided over the adoption of the world’s first legally binding international treaty on Artificial Intelligence.

Today she serves as a board member, focusing on geopolitical risk, international trade and AI governance.

Her association with the Swiss-Indian business community reflects a deeply held conviction: that India is a partner whose people, ambition and energy she has come to admire — a trusted partner and a lasting friend.