Archive · 16 Sep 2026
BRICS Banquet Menu Sparks Debate Over Vegetarian Diplomacy
India hosted a dinner for people attending the BRICS summit.
The dinner served only vegetarian food.
The writer says this was different from choosing food at a private family meal because public money and national hospitality were involved.
The writer believes fish or chicken could also have been served to guests.
Some people online became angry at anyone criticizing the menu.
Another online argument began when Randhir Jaiswal was shown eating snacks during the meeting.
The writer says eating in public is not a serious wrongdoing and should not be used to attack someone’s boss.
The column says people should discuss the important issues at the summit instead of turning food and small actions into political fights.
An opinion column criticizes India’s all-vegetarian BRICS banquet for imposing a state-sanctioned menu on official guests.
The writer argues that fish or chicken could have been offered while observing the principle of Atithi Devo Bhava.
The column says social-media commentary focused on the menu rather than the BRICS Declaration and wider summit issues.
External affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was mocked online after being seen eating snacks during the summit.
The writer also notes that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was seen eating dry fruits and nuts but largely avoided similar criticism.
- Who
- The Government of India, BRICS guests, Randhir Jaiswal, Ajit Doval, and social-media commentators are discussed.
- What
- An opinion column debates the all-vegetarian BRICS banquet and online ridicule directed at officials seen eating snacks.
- When
- The banquet took place last Saturday during a two-day BRICS summit; the article also references earlier international diplomatic meals.
- Where
- The events occurred at the BRICS summit site in India; the article refers to the Mathura Road site.
- Why
- The dispute concerns whether an official international banquet should impose an all-vegetarian menu and whether officials’ eating habits should become political targets.
Menu Critics
Menu Defenders
Official banquet menu
Menu Critics
Critics argue that a state-hosted international dinner should not impose an all-vegetarian palate and could have included fish or chicken.
Menu Defenders
Defenders object to criticism of the food and treat the vegetarian menu as an acceptable expression of Indian hospitality.
Public officials eating snacks
Menu Critics
Online critics mocked Randhir Jaiswal after he was seen eating during the summit.
Menu Defenders
The columnist says the mockery was unfair because Jaiswal may have been hungry, unwell, or managing a health issue while doing his job.
Focus of summit coverage
Menu Critics
The column argues that journalists and social-media users should scrutinize the BRICS Declaration and the summit’s diplomatic issues.
Menu Defenders
Much online commentary instead centered on the banquet menu and officials’ eating habits.
- Event
- BRICS summit and official banquet hosted by India
- Banquet menu
- The Government of India offered an entirely vegetarian menu, according to the column.
- Suggested alternatives
- The writer says fish or chicken could have been included.
- Public criticism
- Social-media users criticized people who objected to the banquet’s menu.
- Official shown eating
- External affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was seen nibbling snacks placed on tables.
- Other official mentioned
- National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was seen eating dry fruits and nuts.
- Wider criticism
- The writer says commentary largely overlooked the cautious wording of the BRICS Declaration.