Ahmad Taimur
Srinagar, Dec 6: From snow-capped mountains of the Kashmir Valley to the coastal flavours of South, India rolled out an elaborate culinary showcase for Russian President Vladimir Putin at a state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
The menu included ‘Gucci Doon Chetin’ – a luxurious Kashmiri dish featuring stuffed morels (rare wild mushrooms) served with a walnut chutney in the appetiser course.
The menu, featuring exclusively vegetarian courses, opened with ‘Murungelai Chaaru’, a delicately spiced broth of moringa leaves and moong beans, followed by a trio of appetisers — ‘Kaale Chane Ke Shikampuri’: Pan-grilled kebabs made from black gram, served with mint sauce and sheermal bread, and pelmeni-inspired vegetable jhol momo along side Gucci doon chetin.
For the main course, guests were served Zafrani Paneer Roll in saffron sauce, Palak Methi Mattar ka Saag, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achaari Baingan and Yellow Dal Tadka, paired with dry-fruit saffron pulao and an assortment of Indian breads including lachha paratha, missi roti and magaz naan.
The dessert spread featured Badam ka Halwa and Kesar-Pista Kulfi, alongside fresh fruits. The table also offered salads, traditional snacks like murukku and gur sandesh, and condiments such as gongura pickle and mango chutney. Beverage options included pomegranate, orange, carrot-ginger and beetroot coolers.
Putin had arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day state visit to India during which he held summit-level talks with PM Modi. This was his first visit to India since Russia’s war with Ukraine began in 2022.
Putin was warmly welcomed by PM Modi at Delhi’s Palam airport with a handshake and a hug. The two leaders later travelled in the same car after coming out from the airport. They straight-away drove to Delhi’s Lok Kalyan Marg, where PM Modi hosted a private dinner for President Putin at his official residence.
On Friday, Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before formal talks began. PM Modi and President Putin later made a statement to the media. Putin also laid a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on Friday.
PM Modi also gifted flavourful Assam black tea, Kashmiri saffron, a handcrafted silver horse, an ornate tea set and a Russian edition of the Bhagavad Gita among other things to President Putin.
