Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a gala dinner for leaders of BRICS member countries at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, bringing together a showcase of Indian cuisine, music and cultural traditions as part of the 18th BRICS Summit.
The dinner, held on the opening day of the two-day summit, featured a specially curated menu and a cultural performance involving artistes from India and other BRICS countries. The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, with leaders from BRICS member nations attending the first day's programme.
Indian flavours dominate gala dinner menu
The menu for the gala dinner featured a mix of Indian regional flavours and contemporary presentations.
The starters included Khandvi Mille-Feuille and Khumb Galouti. The main course comprised Paneer Lababdar, Gucchi Marmik, Carrot Bean Poriyal, Thakkali Belle Saaru, Millet Pulao and Beetroot Raita.
For dessert, guests were served Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi and Shahtoot Phirni.
The dinner was accompanied by a performance titled 'BRICS Symphony', featuring a large ensemble of artistes drawn mainly from India and also from other BRICS countries. More than 100 artistes were expected to participate, with other reports putting the ensemble at around 160 performers.
Putin, Tokayev, Prabowo among dinner guests
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Bharat Mandapam for the dinner, followed by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also arrived at the venue for the dinner hosted by Modi.
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Sarbananda Sonowal and Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers and chief ministers, travelled together by bus to Bharat Mandapam.
Earlier, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Kiren Rijiju, along with other ministers, had departed for the venue. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also left for Bharat Mandapam with other ministers.
BRICS Symphony and friendship mural highlight cultural diplomacy
The cultural programme at the dinner was designed to underline people-to-people ties among BRICS countries. The 'BRICS Symphony' featured classical dancers and musicians, largely from India, alongside performers from other member nations. Reports said the performance would showcase traditions including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Odissi.
Another cultural feature at the summit venue is a large thematic mural created by artists from different BRICS member countries. Inspired by the Indian concept of 'Sangam', or the meeting of rivers, the artwork symbolises friendship and the confluence of cultures.
Created under the theme "Sangam: Confluence of Cultures", the 'BRICS Friendship Mural project' brings together artistic traditions from BRICS countries in a collaborative public artwork displayed on a wall inside the main Bharat Mandapam building.
The mural is located in the building that houses the Summit Room and was created with the participation of artists from various BRICS member countries, according to a senior official of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the cultural arm of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The 18th BRICS Summit is being attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other heads of state and senior dignitaries. India's presidency has placed emphasis on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, with the summit programme also featuring an innovation exhibition and other cultural engagements.