People are mocking this BRICS state dinner because it is vegetarian. This is not “just a vegetarian menu.” It is a carefully curated showcase of Indian ingredients, regional traditions and fine-dining technique. Look at what is actually on the table: • Gucchi / Himalayan morels — among India’s most prized mushrooms. They grow seasonally in Himalayan regions, are difficult to source in quantity and are traditionally hand-collected, which is why good-quality morels command premium prices. • Saffron — one of the world’s most expensive spices by weight. Thousands of delicate crocus flowers are needed to produce a small amount of saffron. • Mamra almonds — a premium almond variety valued for its rich flavour, high natural oil content and limited production compared with ordinary commercial almonds. • Sheermal — a saffron-scented bread with Persian-Mughal culinary roots, traditionally associated with rich festive and royal-style cuisine. • Khandvi Mille-Feuille — not simply “gram flour.” Khandvi itself requires precision to cook, spread paper-thin and roll properly; presenting it as a mille-feuille turns a Gujarati classic into fine dining without losing its identity. • Khumb Galouti — a vegetarian interpretation of the famous galouti style, using mushrooms to create the same soft, delicate texture while keeping the menu entirely vegetarian. • Millets — ancient Indian grains brought into a modern state-banquet setting, combining heritage with contemporary nutrition and sustainability. • Phirni with mulberries and gold leaf — a traditional milk-and-rice dessert finished with fruit and edible gold, giving a centuries-old dish a ceremonial, luxurious presentation. And that is what makes this menu impressive. It moves from Gujarat to North India, the Himalayas, South India and Old Delhi; from humble grains and lentils to saffron, morels, premium almonds and gold leaf. This was not vegetarian food chosen because something was “missing.” It was vegetarian food chosen because Indian cuisine is rich enough to make meat completely unnecessary. The menu is thoughtful, regional, luxurious and unmistakably Indian. Sometimes luxury is not a steak on a plate. Sometimes it is a wild Himalayan morel, a few strands of saffron, and centuries of culinary knowledge behind them. #brics #india #bharat #GOI #narendramodi #vegetarian #luxurious #food #foodfascism