When global leaders gather for international summits, geopolitics and economics dominate headlines. Yet behind closed doors, soft diplomacy unfolds through subtle, carefully curated cultural gestures. During the 18th BRICS Summit hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, luxury hotels across India’s capital transformed into high-security diplomatic residences. ITC Maurya—a flagship property renowned for hosting heads of state—welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with a specialized culinary ensemble. Designed by the hotel’s master pastry chefs and culinary artisans, the arrangement centered on a traditional Indian sweet thali paired with handcrafted, Russian-inspired confectionery.

This elaborate gastronomic welcome highlighted how food can serve as a bridge between nations, blending India’s rich confectionery heritage with iconic symbols of Russian identity.

The Art of Gastrodiplomacy at ITC Maurya

Hospitality for visiting heads of state demands a delicate balance of hospitality, cultural sensitivity, and protocol. ITC Maurya has a long history of tailoring culinary experiences for world leaders, drawing upon India’s deep tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava (the guest is equivalent to God).

For the BRICS Summit, the hotel’s culinary team designed an amenity spread centered on sweet delicacies. In Indian tradition, offering sweets (mithai) at the start of a journey or visit signifies good fortune, respect, and warmth. By selecting an authentic Indian thali layout, ITC Maurya introduced President Putin to the country’s diverse dessert traditions while maintaining an aesthetic presentation suited for high-level diplomatic guests.

Breakdown of the Culinary Spread

The bespoke welcome arrangement comprised several key components, each developed to reflect specific themes of cultural connection, heritage, and regional flavor:

1. The Traditional Sweet Thali

The centerpiece of the offering was a silver thali laden with traditional Indian sweets. Indian mithai spans a wide range of textures, bases, and techniques—from milk solids (khoya) and nut pastes to clarified butter (ghee) and sugar syrups. The curated thali aimed to provide a comprehensive sampling of India’s regional confectionery arts, offering balanced flavors without overwhelming the palate.

2. Spice-Infused Artisanal Bonbons

Bridging European chocolatier techniques with classic Indian aromatics, the pastry team developed a suite of handcrafted chocolate bonbons. Each chocolate incorporated native Indian spices known for their historical significance in spice-trade routes:

• Cardamom: Adding a sweet, citrusy floral note.
• Saffron: Imparting an earthy aroma and rich hue.
• Rose: Offering a subtle fragrance common in North Indian royal desserts.
• Ginger: Providing a warm, pungent contrast to dark and milk chocolate shells.
• Fennel: Delivering a refreshing, aromatic finish reminiscent of traditional Indian digestives (paan and mukhwas).

3. Handcrafted Chocolate Matryoshka Dolls

Honoring the culture of the guest, the chefs created a set of edible chocolate Matryoshka (Russian nesting) dolls. In Russian heritage, these famous nesting figures symbolize family, continuity, maternal warmth, and national unity. Recreated entirely out of chocolate, the dolls served as a direct tribute to Russian craft and identity.

4. Russian Architectural & Landscape Sculpture

In addition to the Matryoshka figures, the team sculpted a detailed chocolate installation depicting landmark architectural structures and natural landscapes of Russia. Showcasing intricate chocolate-molding and piping techniques, the sculpture brought recognizable elements of Russian history and geography into the suite environment.

5. The BRICS Emblematic Installation

Reflecting the broader purpose of the summit, the display featured a contemporary chocolate artpiece inspired by the BRICS alliance. Designed to symbolize partnership, economic synergy, and shared progress among member nations, the piece grounded the sweet spread within the context of international statecraft.

Summary of the Welcome Amenity

ComponentCultural InfluenceKey Ingredients / Visual MotifSymbolic Meaning Traditional Sweet ThaliIndianAssorted regional mithai (milk, nut, ghee bases)Warmth, hospitality, and good fortune Spice-Infused BonbonsIndo-European FusionChocolate with cardamom, saffron, rose, ginger, fennelUnion of Indian spice heritage with western confectionery Chocolate MatryoshkaRussianSculpted cocoa shells shaped as nesting dollsContinuity, heritage, and unity of the Russian people Landscape SculptureRussianEdible chocolate architectural relief workHomage to Russian history and landmark architecture BRICS ArtworkGlobal / Multi-NationalContemporary chocolate structurePartnership and cooperation among member states

Security Protocols & The Realities of Presidential Dining

While luxury host hotels pull out all the stops to create memorable visual and culinary displays, state security protocols dictate how visiting heads of state interact with local food offerings.

The Russian Presidency operates under stringent, long-standing security procedures regarding food consumption during foreign travel. A dedicated team of state security personnel, advance inspectors, and personal chefs accompanies President Putin on international visits. All ingredients, preparation areas, and finished items undergo rigorous safety testing before service.

Consequently, while bespoke hotel amenities—such as ITC Maurya’s chocolate sculptures and sweet thalis—are prepared to the highest culinary standards, their primary role is often symbolic. They serve as diplomatic welcome gifts, artistic tributes, and expressions of host-nation hospitality rather than standard room service.

The Broader Context: Summit Gastronomy Across Delhi

The customized thali at ITC Maurya was part of a city-wide effort across New Delhi’s five-star establishments to provide tailored experiences for foreign delegations.

• Taj Palace, hosting the Chinese delegation led by President Xi Jinping, focused on refined regional Indian appetizers alongside authentic East Asian options.
• The Leela Palace, accommodating leaders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia, emphasized wellness-focused offerings, handcrafted edible lotuses, and millet-based snacks.
• The LaLiT, hosting delegations from partner nations, designed menus highlighting regional Indian street food, tandoori specialties, and sustainable local ingredients.

Across all host venues, food functioned as an unspoken diplomatic language. Through carefully researched amenities, Indian hoteliers introduced global leaders to local flavors while reassuring them with familiar elements of their home cultures.

A Fusion of Flavor and Diplomacy

The special sweet thali and chocolate installations crafted for Vladimir Putin at ITC Maurya illustrate how gastronomy intersects with high-level international summits. By pairing classic Indian sweets with Russian iconography like the Matryoshka doll, the hotel’s culinary team created a visual and edible welcome that honored both the guest’s heritage and the host country’s traditions. In the fast-paced environment of the BRICS Summit, such details provide a moment of cultural connection amidst complex geopolitical talks.

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