President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi for an opulent state banquet, marking a highlight of his two-day visit to India. The evening was a masterful blend of soft diplomacy and cultural showcase, centered around a meticulously crafted all-vegetarian menu and a unique musical performance that bridged Indian and Russian traditions.
A Culinary Journey Through India's Regions
The banquet's core was a traditional vegetarian thali, designed to be light, elegant, and a celebration of India's diverse culinary heritage. The meal commenced with a delicate murungelai chaaru soup, a broth made from moringa leaves and moong beans, setting a comforting tone.
This was followed by an array of appetizers that offered a symphony of textures and flavors:
- Gucchi doon chetin: Stuffed morel mushrooms accompanied by a white walnut chutney.
- Kaale chane ke shikampuri: Flavorful kebabs made from black gram.
- Vegetable jhol momo: Dumplings served with a tangy chutney.
The main course presented a grand spread that harmonized rich gravies with dry preparations, catering to international palates while staying true to Indian roots. Guests savored:
- Zaafrani paneer roll
- Palak methi matar ka saag
- Tandoori bharwan aloo
- Achaari baingan
- Dal tadka
These dishes were paired with a fragrant dry fruit and saffron pulao and an assortment of Indian breads, including lachha parantha, magaz naan, and missi roti. The meal concluded on a sweet note with desserts of badam halwa, kesar pista kulfi, and fresh fruits.
A "Raag Menu" of Musical Diplomacy
Parallel to the gastronomic experience, the evening featured a carefully curated "raag menu" of music. An ensemble of classical Indian instrumentalists on the sarod, sarangi, and tabla performed a fusion set.
The performance seamlessly wove together Indian classical ragas like Shivranjini and Yaman with beloved Russian melodies. The musical tribute included an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" and the lively Russian folk tune "Kalinka," the latter rendered by a naval band. A Bollywood number, "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani," added a contemporary touch to the cultural exchange.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
Beyond the sensory delights, the banquet served as a backdrop for reinforcing the deep strategic partnership between India and Russia. President Putin emphasized the breadth of the bilateral relationship following his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He highlighted that the joint declaration covered cooperation across politics, security, trade, energy, and education. Putin framed the partnership as one where both nations "go together, grow together," working towards building a fairer global order.
Following the grand evening, President Putin departed from Delhi. He was seen off at the airport by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, concluding a visit that successfully combined high-level diplomacy with a profound celebration of shared cultural respect.
