Excitement is building in the capital as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived for a private dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg on Thursday night. Many are particularly curious about the menu, continuing a tradition of carefully planned meals served to the Russian leader during his visits to India. 

Over the years, Putin’s visits have included menus ranging from Kashmiri dishes to elaborate Mughlai spreads. In 2014, during a dinner hosted by former President Pranab Mukherjee, the menu reportedly included Kahwa, the saffron-infused Kashmiri drink, Haak ka Saag slow-cooked in its own juices, Galauti Kebabs, and Murg Dhaniwal Korma. Other dishes included Badam Shorba, mushrooms, cottage cheese, and vegetables cooked with onion seeds. Desserts served were rose-flavoured Gulaab Kheer, cheesecake, and fresh fruits.

During the 2018 visit, Hyderabad House hosted a large dinner reception. The menu included salmon fillet with parsley and cheese sauce, minced lamb roasted with onions, chilli peppers and saffron, chicken grilled and stewed in creamy sauce, and traditional Mughlai-style lamb. Vegetarian options included watermelon cream soup, puff pastries with sprouts, tamarind yoghurt, lotus stem and lentil kebabs with mango sauce, homemade cheese and peas in makhni gravy, basmati rice with black peas and ricotta “silver pearls”, and seasonal vegetables with asparagus.

It is not publicly known which dishes Putin consumed, as security and food-tasting protocols accompany him to ensure dietary requirements and safety.

Putin’s personal food preferences

Putin’s everyday meals are known to be simple. Breakfast often includes porridge or tvorog mixed with honey, raw quail eggs, and fresh juice. Fish, particularly smoked sturgeon, or lamb are common protein choices. He rarely eats desserts and usually has tomatoes, cucumbers, and salads. Kefir, a fermented dairy beverage, is also part of his diet, and he occasionally enjoys pistachio ice cream. 

The Visit

The dinner followed a warm welcome at the airport, where PM Modi and Putin travelled together in the same car after the Russian President arrived for his two-day State Visit. “Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people,” PM Modi posted on X.

The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit on Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership. Talks will cover politics, trade, economy, science, technology, and cultural and humanitarian affairs, alongside current international and regional issues. Putin will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and lay a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, while a joint statement and several bilateral agreements are expected after formal discussions at Hyderabad House.