This will be President Putin’s first official trip to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India today and tomorrow, for the 23rd India–Russia Summit, attention is not just on the diplomatic agenda. Curiosity is already growing about the private dinner that will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House — a venue known for its carefully curated menus for visiting dignitaries over the years.
This will be President Putin’s first official trip to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
President Putin, however, is known for his restrained and uncomplicated approach to food. His daily diet is famously simple, rooted in traditional flavours and clean eating.
A typical breakfast for the Russian leader includes porridge or tvorog — a soft, Russian cottage cheese — blended with honey, accompanied by raw quail eggs and a glass of fresh juice. For protein, he prefers fish, particularly smoked sturgeon served with lemon and butter, or lamb, a meat he has enjoyed since childhood. Vegetables feature prominently in his meals, with tomatoes, cucumbers and light salads being regular staples. He rarely indulges in desserts or sugary dishes, although on rare occasions, he is said to enjoy pistachio ice cream. Kefir, the popular fermented dairy drink, is also a part of his routine, as per Financial Express reports.
As India prepares to welcome him again, it is worth revisiting what was served during his previous state visits, meals that reflected both India’s culinary richness and the meticulous care taken to balance hospitality with Putin’s personal preferences. Here’s a look back at what he was served during his earlier visits.
A Taste of Kashmir: President Putin’s 2014 Visit
During his 2014 visit, former President Pranab Mukherjee hosted President Putin for a dinner steeped in Kashmiri flavours. According to reports, the menu opened with Kahwa, the valley’s fragrant saffron-infused tea, followed by Haak ka Saag, a delicately seasoned spinach dish simmered in its own juices.
The non-vegetarian offerings carried the Kashmiri signature of mild yet aromatic spices. These included melt-in-the-mouth Galauti Kebabs and Murg Dhaniwal Korma, a chicken preparation enriched with fresh coriander gravy. President Putin was also served Badam Shorba — an almond-based broth — alongside an assortment of cottage cheese, mushrooms and seasonal vegetables cooked with onion seeds. For dessert, the spread featured Gulaab Kheer, a rose-scented rice pudding, along with cheesecake and a platter of fresh fruits.
A Mughlai Extravaganza: President Putin’s 2018 Visit
Hyderabad House once again played host during Putin’s 2018 visit, when chefs prepared an elaborate Mughlai-inspired menu comprising dozens of dishes tailored to his dietary requirements. Among the highlights was a salmon fillet dressed in a delicate parsley and cheese sauce, minced lamb roasted with onions, chilli and saffron, and tender chicken pieces grilled and simmered in a creamy gravy. Another centrepiece was lamb cooked in classic Mughlai style, rich in flavour but balanced to suit Putin’s mild palate.
Vegetarian selections were equally impressive: watermelon cream soup, puff pastry layered with sprouts and sweet tamarind yoghurt, lotus stem and lentil kebabs paired with mango sauce, homemade cheese and peas in makhni gravy, and basmati rice infused with black peas and ricotta “silver pearls”. Seasonal vegetables and asparagus rounded off the spread.
Due to stringent security and private food-tasting procedures, it remains unclear which dishes Putin finally sampled. Yet the menus themselves offer a glimpse into the lengths India goes to when hosting a leader with such specific culinary taste and habits.
As Putin visits India this week, all eyes will once again be on the diplomatic conversations and on the plate placed before him.
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