Samosa Diplomacy: How Indian Cuisine can Soften Geopolitical Relations
<div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>In an effort to develop India as a counterbalance to China, the White House went all out to court Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first official visit to the US in July. The best method it discovered for doing that would be food. The state banquet included a completely vegetarian meal for the first time. As a reference to Modi's international promotion of millets, it also added two millet-based dishes. First Lady Jill Biden collaborated with Sacramento, California-based culinary artist and guest chef Nina Curtis. Today, food has taken such a major role in diplomacy that a brand-new word, Gastrodiplomacy, has emerged. </p><p>How was this type of diplomacy developed? </p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>Despite the fact that "food" and "international relations" are not typically associated with one another, there is a huge history of meticulously arranged state banquets. One of the largest and most opulent events hosted by the White House is a state dinner recognising a visiting head of state or a reigning monarch, something the White House takes great pleasure in. A State Dinner is an occasion for the host to treat his visitor to some of the nation's finest cuisine as well as a formal statement to honour and recognise another head of state. Leaders from across the world converse on issues such as sustainability, world hunger, and the political environment in their own countries while savouring a variety of only the finest food. <br></p><p>The history of state dinners is rife with tales of meals that had a significant impact on international relations. For example, in 1954, the White House hosted a delegation from Mao Zedong's China and served them the traditional Southeast Asian dish "The Tiger Fights the Dragon." The centrepiece of this meal featured a skinned car and a python, which deeply offended the Chinese delegation at the not-so-subtle hints as to who was the Tiger and who was the Dragon. <br></p><p>Culinary diplomacy is strangely strongest when used subtly. A very amusing example would be the fact that Americans enjoy Thai food, a trait they frequently take great satisfaction in. Although it might seem like the Americans have a sophisticated palate, the Thai government actually forced the development of approximately 3000 Thai restaurants in the US by providing financial support and administrative direction. Thailand has one goal in mind: to become recognised as a nation that represents wonderful cuisine, welcoming hospitality, and cultural riches. A sizable portion of the global population currently believes this to be true: a successful diplomatic operation that was subtle yet effective!</p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108676797 BCX0" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In her time as prime minister, Indira Gandhi had a reputation for micromanaging official dinners. Mrs. Gandhi was frequently praised for her excellent taste and sophisticated palate, and she was aware of how food was woven into India's political system. In fact, after Archbishop Makarios was chosen as the first president of Cyprus in 1960, she even requested that the ITDC construct a Cypriot restaurant at The Ashok. Even today, India and Cyprus have friendly relations. An outstanding instance of India demonstrating its diplomatic prowess occurred in 2015 at the Hannover Messe Industrial Fair, where a team of 28 chefs from six of India's top restaurants joined forces to feed 2,500 people supper. The team extended the essence of India's natural tastes by adhering to the "Prithvi Rasa" motif. It was an effort to promote the idea of "Make in India" and, of course, a fairly mouthwatering demonstration of soft power. Never has eating been pointless. </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When Obama visited India in 2017, there was only one thing on everyone's mind: what would Modi serve Obama? Will the menu just include vegetarian options? Will the food be Indian or will it be prepared to the tastes of the Presidents? The decision of one Head of State to serve another is of the highest significance to both the government and the general populace. A diversified meal of vegetarian and non-vegetarian treats that celebrated Indian food was served by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and it was a diplomatic triumph. </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Although it has never been at the forefront of India's foreign policy, Modi's efforts to improve relations with other countries have definitely made place for food diplomacy. </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW108676797 BCX0" paraid="1638158122" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{25}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Culinary diplomacy is a traditional, well-planned practise that became established at official State Dinners and informal get-togethers. It soon expressed itself in new mediums throughout time. India undoubtedly profited from this. Vikas Khanna prepared Sattvik cuisine for the White House in 2010 and 2014. He added a gourmet edge to it. </span><br></p></p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134116925 BCX0" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW134116925 BCX0" paraid="1370787167" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{83}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The whimsical nature of food may translate effectively into other mediums. Therefore, it is not surprising that this type of diplomacy has also found itself manifesting in several novel ways. The Indian citizen is carving out a position for himself in this discussion through shows like Raja Rasoi aur Anya Kahaniyan or YouTube channels operated by home cooks. </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW134116925 BCX0" paraid="1370787167" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{83}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW134116925 BCX0" paraid="1370787167" paraeid="{5ae706c1-0735-4ce7-a9b4-f7ba554fcd36}{83}" style="margin-bottom: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Action is required in response to the global food movement that has gripped the world, and Modi has to grasp this in order to boost India's soft power. The only way for culinary diplomacy in India is up, given the diversity and opportunities offered by Indian food. </span><br></p></p><span></div>
