Modi-led India govt under fire over 'vegetarian-only menu' at Brics summit

Narendra Modi-led Indian government has come under strong criticism over its decision to serve an entirely vegetarian menu to heads of state and other dignitaries attending the recently held Brics summit in New Delhi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders participated in the 18th Brics Summit, which concluded on September 14 in the Indian capital.

Brics, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. 

Established in 2009, the bloc was created to promote a multipolar global order and provide an alternative to the international system long dominated by the United States and its Western allies.

The summit menu featured more than 10 vegetarian dishes, sparking a political controversy at home. 

Reacting to a "vegetarian-only menu," Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said on X, "For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious."

Separately, Congress leader Waris Pathan criticised the vegetarian-only menu, saying it failed to reflect India’s diverse food culture.

“We talk a lot about India's diversity, but diversity has disappeared from this menu!,” he posted on X.

He said vegetarianism could be promoted without excluding non-vegetarian options, noting that millions of Indians eat meat and that mutton, chicken and fish are an important part of the country’s culinary traditions.

“Vegetarianism has to be promoted, by all means—but don't limit India's food culture to just a vegetarian menu. Millions of people in India eat non-veg; Mutton, chicken and fish are equally important in our culinary diversity.”

Another Congress leader, Pawan Khera, also criticised the decision, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of imposing its dietary preferences on Indians and saying the practice had now extended to international dignitaries attending the summit.

India’s Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju defended the menu, and took a jibe at Congress for “politicising” the food served. 

He said the visiting dignitaries enjoyed Indian vegetarian cuisine, which he described as rich in flavour and nutritional variety and reflective of the country’s diverse regional culinary traditions.

"I can't believe that the Congress party is making politics even on the food menu served to the leaders of Brics nations. Our guests relished Indian vegetarian cuisine, which are rich in flavour and nutritional variety with diverse regional traditions," he said.