In an increasingly war-driven world, for a state to be neutral or to ‘not pick a side’ is viewed in different ways. Some might call it wisdom, some cowardice, and some might even say neutrality itself is choosing a side. Awarelogue Asian Institute had the pleasure of engaging in a fruitful conversation with the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Her Excellency Dr. Siri Walt, on her thoughts on the foreign policy of Switzerland and much more, at her official residence on 12th May 2026.
Understanding Neutrality
Neutrality, by definition, refers to a stance adopted by a nation or state to not ally with any parties involved in a conflict. It simply means refraining from actively engaging in war, avoiding joining alliances, and treating all parties equally. It also means not supplying any mercenary troops and not allowing other states to use its territory (Neutrality (Political Relations) | Diplomacy and International Relations | Research Starters | EBSCO Research, n.d.). While understanding neutrality, it is also important to know the distinction between neutrality and non-alignment, since they are not the same. Neutrality, by definition, is when a state decides not to pick a side, whereas non-alignment falls under the same broad category but is also motivated by promoting friendly relations and peace while standing together for a common cause.
Switzerland's Neutrality: A Philosophy that Dates Back 500 Years
Switzerland’s stance on neutrality existed long before the World Wars or the Cold War. Neutrality is a philosophy that has shaped Swiss foreign policy for over 500 years. As Switzerland’s patron saint Nicholas of Flüe (also known as Brother Klaus) has said, “Do not mix in the affairs of others or ally yourself with a powerful stranger. Protect your country and do not hold yourself distant from it…” (Why Is Switzerland a Neutral Country? | Expatica, 2025).
Swiss neutrality as a foreign policy measure dates back to 1515, when the Confederates were defeated at the Battle of Marignano, and the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), during the Thirty Years’ War. However, it was at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 that this was formally recognised by the international community, and Switzerland formalized this position in 1907 by signing the Hague Convention governing the rights and obligations of neutral states in the event of war (Neutrality, n.d.).
Swiss Neutrality in Modern Times
Despite taking a stance as a neutral state, Switzerland has had to redefine its version of neutrality due to certain global conflicts. Switzerland took part in economic sanctions against Iraq during the first Gulf War in 1991, and it joined NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme in 1996, stressing the need to promote peace and security while keeping its right to withdraw when needed. In 1999, Switzerland also sent unarmed volunteers to support peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo (Neutrality, n.d.).
Looking at the proximity of the Russia-Ukraine war, the worldly implications of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the volatile situation surrounding Iran and its West Asian neighbours, one cannot help but question the purpose of Swiss neutrality. When international law is being violated, when civilians are being killed, and when human rights are being stripped away in plain sight, does staying silent not make you complicit? While Switzerland may be perceived this way, the reality happens to be much more complex. Swiss neutrality is more of a strategy than silence. By refusing to align itself with any side, Switzerland positions itself as a state that all parties can trust, making it one of the few countries in the world capable of mediating between conflicting powers and hosting the kind of negotiations that can actually move toward peace. A country that has picked a side cannot play that role.
Most importantly, while the Swiss follow neutrality as their foreign policy, they have also been consistent and outspoken in issuing statements condemning violations of human rights across these conflicts, making clear that neutrality does not mean the absence of values or being morally indifferent, but rather the careful exercise of them.
Switzerland as a Mediator
Switzerland has played a major role as a successful mediator in global conflicts. The Swiss facilitated secret communications and hosted negotiations that led to the Evian Accords and a ceasefire agreement in the Algerian War (1961–1962). During the Cold War era, Switzerland hosted high-profile meetings, especially the 1985 Geneva Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, which signaled a thaw in the Cold War (Tognina, 2024).
At present, Switzerland acts more as a messenger or go-between for countries with severed or strained diplomatic relations. Switzerland has agreed to represent the interests of the USA in the cases of Venezuela and Iran. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Swiss government also offered to represent Ukraine's interests in Russia, a proposal reiterated by the Swiss President to the Russian Foreign Minister in 2022 (Tognina, 2024).
This shift from the role of mediator to messenger is a result of the fact that international bodies like the United Nations are now the primary drivers of conflict resolution, even if the UN’s efficiency in mitigating certain conflicts is being questioned at present. Swiss foreign policy focuses on maintaining basic diplomatic channels, which is part of Switzerland’s ‘good offices’ tradition, and is often driven by a combination of humanitarian values and national self-interest (Tognina, 2024).
The Paradox of Having an Army: Armed Neutrality
Switzerland’s decision to have an active army is another interesting debate. Despite having a neutral foreign policy, what does it really mean to have an army if you are not going to war? Switzerland practises the policy of ‘armed neutrality’ by maintaining an active military. Neutrality alone is not a guarantee of peace. Thus, armed neutrality is a way of deterring potential attackers while maintaining neutral status. Having an active army also allows the Swiss military to actively contribute to global peace under the Swiss Constitution. In a 2001 referendum, the Swiss electorate narrowly voted in favour of arming Swiss military personnel deployed in peacebuilding missions (Neutrality, n.d.).
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, considering its geographical proximity, makes the threat of invasion or possible attacks from outside a very real concern. It is therefore inevitable that the Swiss government take steps to protect its territory and citizens should it ever come to that. This reality has led to a renewed focus on military readiness and an increase in the defence budget to address gaps in equipment and infrastructure that resulted from decades of peace (Admin Hit, 2025).
Neutrality, as Switzerland has demonstrated for over 500 years, is neither simple nor passive. It is a deliberate choice by a nation to position itself as a space for mediation and negotiation in a time of global conflict. With Geneva serving as the headquarters for some of the world’s most important human rights institutions, Switzerland, both by action and by symbol, does not look away from violations of human rights. It condemns what is happening in this complex global order. Swiss neutrality is about being a state that keeps the door open for everyone, for the sake of peace in the long run.
References
Admin_Hit. (2025, October 28). The Swiss military: How a neutral country prepares for war. -. https://howitticks.ch/podcast/mathias-muller-swiss-military/
Neutrality. (n.d.). https://www.aboutswitzerland.eda.admin.ch/en/neutrality
Neutrality (political relations) | Diplomacy and International Relations | Research Starters | EBSCO Research. (n.d.). EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/diplomacy-and-international-relations/neutrality-political-relations
Tognina, A. (2024, January 28). Switzerland as a mediator – the successes and failures. SWI swissinfo.ch. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/switzerland-as-a-mediator-the-successes-and-failures/48073942
Why is Switzerland a neutral country? | Expatica. (2025, April 23). Expatica Switzerland. https://www.expatica.com/ch/moving/society-history/neutral-switzerland-107842/
