Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India ended on a cultural high note as Rashtrapati Bhawan hosted him for a grand vegetarian dinner on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu extended a warm welcome with a specially curated menu celebrating India’s rich regional flavours, traditions, and culinary heritage. From Rasam to Kulfi, the evening became a flavourful journey across the length and breadth of India.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India today wrapped up with a grand vegetarian dinner at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu hosted the Russian leader with a specially crafted menu that brought together India’s best regional dishes and traditional thali.
A Tour of Indian Flavours Served To Putin
Starting With South Indian Rasam
The meal kicked off with Murungakelai Chaaru, a South Indian Rasam that works as a soup. This light starter prepared Putin for the feast ahead.
Appetizer from Different Corners
Three appetizers showed off India’s regional diversity. First came Gucci Doon Chetin, stuffed morels with Kashmiri Walnut Chutney straight from the Kashmir Valley. Then came Kaale Chand Ke Shikampuri, a pan-grilled black garam kebab presented in North Indian cooking.
The third was vegetable Jhol Momo with spicy chutney, bringing in Eastern Himalayan flavours. These dishes offered a quick tour of the culinary traditions stretching from Kashmir to the Eastern Himalayas.
The Main Course
The main course had five dishes. Zafrani Paneer Roll took the lead spot, served with Palak Methi Matar Ka Saag, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achari Baingan, and Yellow Dal Tadka with Saffron Pulao and dry fruits.
Five types of breads: Laccha Parantha, Naan, Satanaj Roti, Missi Roti, and Biscuity Roti. That’s quite a variety for one meal.
Dessert and More
Sweets included Badam Halwa, Kesar Pista Kulfi, and fresh fruits. Traditional accompaniments, like Gur Sandesh, Murukku, and a variety of pickles and salads, were also part of the spread. Putin got a healthy mix of beverages — pomegranate, orange, carrot, and ginger juices.
Music Bridged Two Cultures
Food was not the only highlight. The Rashtrapati Bhawan Naval Band performed, mixing Indian and Russian music. They played Indian ragas such as Amritavarshini, Khawaja, Shivranjani, Nalinakanthi, Bhairavi, and Desh alongside Russian melodies, including Kalinka and excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. The band also played the Hindi film tune “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.”
What Putin Said
Putin spoke about India–Russia ties during dinner. He highlighted that the declaration he and PM Modi adopted encompasses a wide range of cooperation across spheres, including politics, security, economy, trade, energy, education, and other areas.
He stressed both nations are working together to establish “a fairer and just world order” and said the India-Russia partnership will continue to grow.
The Russian President departed from Delhi after the dinner, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeing him off at the airport.
Putin’s farewell dinner at Rashtrapati Bhawan turned into a memorable cultural showcase, blending India’s culinary diversity with musical harmony. From regional dishes to symbolic diplomatic statements, the evening reflected the depth of the India–Russia relationship and the shared vision both leaders emphasised for the future.
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