Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other world leaders were served dishes comprising more than 10 vegetables at a dinner, drawing criticism of the Narendra Modi government from the opposition.
NEW DELHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 16th Sep, 2026) A political controversy has erupted in India after Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders were served only vegetarian food at a dinner during the BRICS Summit.
According to a report by the British newspaper The Telegraph, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other world leaders were served more than 10 vegetarian dishes at a dinner held in New Delhi, prompting India’s opposition to criticize the Narendra Modi government.
He said India’s food culture is highly diverse, with mutton, chicken, fish and other meat-based dishes forming an important part of the Indian diet; therefore, serving only vegetarian dishes to world leaders did not represent the country’s complete food culture.
Meanwhile, Indian Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of politicizing the issue, saying he could not believe that the party was even politicizing the menu served to BRICS leaders.
The Telegraph report said that more than 10 vegetarian dishes, including paneer lababdar, Kashmiri gucchi mushrooms and beetroot raita, were served at the BRICS dinner. However, this was not the first time India had arranged an entirely vegetarian menu for world leaders; guests were also served a vegetarian dinner during the 2023 G20 Summit.
