Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Chocolate India Gate Gift Breaks During Belgian PM’s India Journey
Belgium’s prime minister wanted to give India’s prime minister a special present.
The present was a model of India Gate made from Belgian chocolate.
It was meant to show the friendship and shared history between Belgium and India.
The chocolate model was damaged while being brought to India.
Some reports said it melted, while the Belgian Embassy said it broke.
Belgium has another model ready as a backup.
The model honored Indian soldiers who fought in Belgium during the First World War.
De Wever said he still hopes to give the gift to Prime Minister Modi.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever planned to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a replica of India Gate made entirely from Belgian chocolate.
The chocolate sculpture was damaged during its journey to India; reports described it as failing to survive or melting, while the embassy said it broke.
De Wever said Belgium had a backup sculpture and intended to deliver it to Modi in one piece later.
The replica was designed to represent the shared history and future partnership between India and Belgium.
Its inscription highlighted Indian soldiers who fought and died in Flanders Fields during the First World War.
- Who
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- A chocolate replica of India Gate intended as a diplomatic gift was damaged during transport to India.
- When
- During De Wever’s two-day official visit to India from September 2 to 4, 2026; the issue was discussed at a joint press conference on Thursday and reported by the embassy on Friday.
- Where
- The gift was damaged during its journey to India, and De Wever met Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
- Why
- The replica was chosen to symbolize India and Belgium’s shared history, future partnership, and the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in Flanders Fields during the First World War.
- Planned gift
- A replica of India Gate made entirely from fine Belgian chocolate.
- Intended recipient
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Gift status
- The sculpture was damaged during transport; the Belgian Embassy said it broke.
- Backup plan
- Belgium has a backup sculpture that De Wever hopes to deliver later.
- Historical reference
- The sculpture honored Indian soldiers who fought and died in Flanders Fields during the First World War.
- Official visit
- De Wever visited India from September 2 to 4, 2026.
- Meeting location
- De Wever and Modi met at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
