Archive · 14 Sep 2026
BRICS Vegetarian Dinner Sparks Debate Over India’s Food Diversity
A special dinner was held for BRICS leaders in New Delhi.
The dinner served only vegetarian food.
Some Congress leaders said this did not show all of India’s food traditions because many Indians eat non-vegetarian food.
Rahul Gandhi said 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and mentioned his sister’s chole bhature.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said the government was imposing its food preferences on international guests.
BJP leader Kiren Rijiju said the guests enjoyed vegetarian Indian food with many regional flavors.
The menu included foods such as khandvi, paneer, mushrooms, millet dishes and jalebi.
Former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said he had also served APJ Abdul Kalam an entirely vegetarian meal in Iceland in 2005.
The all-vegetarian BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi drew criticism over whether it represented India’s diverse culinary traditions.
Former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson recalled serving APJ Abdul Kalam an all-vegetarian state dinner during Kalam’s 2005 visit to Iceland.
The BRICS menu featured regional ingredients and dishes including khandvi, paneer lababdar, gucchi, millet pulao, mushroom galouti and jalebi.
Other reported menu items included Himalayan morels, saffron, Mamra almonds, sheermal, millets and phirni with mulberries and gold leaf.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress criticized the exclusion of non-vegetarian food, while BJP leader Kiren Rijiju defended the menu’s regional and nutritional variety.
- Who
- BRICS leaders and other dignitaries attended the dinner; Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders criticized the menu, while Kiren Rijiju defended it. Former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson recalled serving APJ Abdul Kalam a vegetarian state dinner.
- What
- An all-vegetarian BRICS gala dinner prompted debate over whether it represented India’s broader culinary and dietary diversity.
- When
- The BRICS dinner was held on Saturday; Congress criticized it the following Sunday. Grímsson’s dinner for Kalam took place during Kalam’s 2005 state visit to Iceland.
- Where
- The BRICS dinner was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India. Grímsson’s recalled dinner was held in Iceland.
- Why
- Critics said non-vegetarian cuisine should have been included to reflect India’s eating habits, while supporters said the vegetarian menu showcased regional ingredients, traditions and nutritional variety.
Critics of the menu
Supporters of the menu
Representation of Indian cuisine
Critics of the menu
Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders argued that excluding non-vegetarian dishes failed to reflect India’s broader eating habits and culinary diversity.
Supporters of the menu
Supporters said the menu represented several Indian regions and traditions through vegetarian dishes and ingredients.
Dietary choice at an international event
Critics of the menu
Pawan Khera said the government was imposing its dietary preferences on dignitaries from around the world and questioned why non-vegetarian Indian food was not included.
Supporters of the menu
Kiren Rijiju defended the menu, saying BRICS guests enjoyed vegetarian Indian cuisine with varied flavors and nutritional value.
Meaning of the vegetarian menu
Critics of the menu
Critics and social media users questioned why an international gathering did not include non-vegetarian options.
Supporters of the menu
Supporters said the spread highlighted Indian culinary heritage, regional produce and contemporary interpretations rather than merely avoiding meat.
- Dinner format
- The BRICS gala dinner served an entirely vegetarian menu.
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Reported dishes
- The menu included khandvi, paneer lababdar, gucchi, millet pulao, mushroom galouti and jalebi.
- Featured ingredients
- Other reported ingredients included saffron, Mamra almonds, sheermal, millets, Himalayan morels and gold leaf.
- Congress criticism
- Rahul Gandhi said 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian, while Pawan Khera said the menu imposed dietary preferences on international dignitaries.
- BJP response
- Kiren Rijiju said the guests enjoyed Indian vegetarian cuisine with rich flavors, nutritional variety and regional traditions.
- Iceland comparison
- Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said he served APJ Abdul Kalam an all-vegetarian state dinner during Kalam’s 2005 visit to Iceland.
