New Delhi: Diplomacy met gastronomy at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted an exclusive state dinner for visiting world leaders at Bharat Mandapam.
Blending culture with strategy, the curated menu reflected India’s vast culinary geography, from the mountains of Uttarakhand to the valleys of Kashmir, turning the evening into a celebration of heritage alongside high-technology dialogue.
As global policymakers, innovators and heads of state gathered in the national capital for the India AI Impact Summit (February 16-20), the formal dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged as a showcase of India’s soft power.
The summit, following earlier global editions in the UK (2023) and France (2025) is the first major AI gathering hosted in the Global South. While discussions inside the convention halls focused on artificial intelligence governance and innovation, the dinner table offered a parallel narrative: India’s civilisational depth and diversity.
Curated by chefs from the ITC group, entrusted with catering official events at Bharat Mandapam, the menu was crafted as a gastronomic journey across regions.
The evening coincided with Shishir Ritu, described in the menu note as “a season marking a gentle end of the winter dew and quiet indulgence… a season that arrives with an abundance of harvest, hope and harmony.”
The multi-course experience opened with “Varnila,” featuring:
- Baby spinach crisp
- Yoghurt sphere
- Tamarind-date chutney
- Cilantro relish with Old Delhi masala
- Jowar crisp
The dish symbolised a blend of traditional Indian flavours with modern culinary presentation.
The centrepiece, titled “Sasya,” paid homage to Uttarakhand’s agrarian heritage. It included:
- GI-tagged Munsyari rajma gilawat
- Pahadi rice
- Jhangora (barnyard millet) pulao
- Kumaoni aloo and subz ke gutke
- Tomato-anari sauce
The use of regional grains and legumes highlighted India’s millet mission and indigenous agricultural diversity.
A curated bread basket followed, featuring: Taftaan topped with melon seeds and Kashmiri Girda, the traditional morning bread of the Valley.
The dessert, presented as “Nisarga – Nature’s Creation,” featured Rasmalai Tres Leches with winterberry preserve. The dish combined moist chena cake sponge soaked in sweetened milk with winter berry compote and pearl millet streusel blending Indian sweetness with global technique.
Beverages included Kashmiri Kahwa, Darjeeling tea, filter coffee, Indian Rose infusion and Mishri Gulkand Chocolate Leaf.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi welcomed several world leaders to the summit venue, including: French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Estonian President Alar Karis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
The summit, organised under the IndiaAI Mission, revolves around the pillars of People, Planet and Progress. It features 12 indigenous foundation AI models across 22 Indian languages and international pavilions from France, Japan, the UK and other participating nations.
Beyond flavours, the dinner conveyed a subtle message: India’s AI ambitions are rooted in civilisational continuity. As discussions on Sovereign AI and digital governance shape the summit agenda, the curated meal reflected India’s belief that technology must coexist with tradition.
In combining Kashmiri Girda with Rajma Gilawat, and millet-based desserts with global presentation styles, the evening mirrored the broader theme of the summit itself—ancient wisdom aligned with frontier innovation.
