How India turned its cuisine into a weapon of peace, power, and planet-saving potential
Take mangoes, for instance. Not just any mangoes, India's world-renowned Alphonsos. In 2007, they starred in what came to be known as the 'nuclear mango deal,' where the U.S. lifted a longstanding ban on Indian mango imports in tandem with broader nuclear negotiations. Mangoes became more than dessert; they symbolised a soft-power breakthrough. But in 2025, that sweet story soured. The U.S. rejected 25 tonnes of Indian mangoes over minor paperwork issues. The fruit was destroyed, costing exporters $500,000 and bruising bilateral ties. Diplomacy by mango had suddenly turned to mush.Undeterred, India doubled down—not on mangoes, but millets. Declaring 2025 the International Year of Millets at the United Nations, India transformed these hardy grains from village staples into climate champions. At the G20, Prime Minister Modi served millet-centric menus to world leaders, blending sustainability with strategy. Millets were rebranded not just as health foods but as geopolitical statements. In a world worried about water scarcity and food security, India positioned itself as both solution and supplier.This culinary campaign reached new heights at World Food India 2025 in New Delhi. More than a food expo, it was India's gastronomic G20. CEOs, diplomats, chefs, and investors converged not just to taste but to trade. Alongside it, India Food 2025 showcased the country's food tech innovations—think blockchain-tracked basmati, AI-tested paneer, and IoT-enabled ghee production. Because in global food markets, it's not just about flavour. It's about safety, traceability, and digital trust.Still, India's gastrodiplomacy isn't just about commerce it's also about culture. Dosa is now a breakfast regular in Nairobi. Masala chai is Instagram's new comfort drink. Embassy dinners are less about policy papers and more about paneer platters. India's cuisine has become a tool of soft power, building goodwill in places where negotiations fall flat.But the path isn't without potholes. India's vast food ecosystem struggles with standardisation. Bureaucratic delays and inconsistent farming practices can still sabotage a great dish—or a great deal. And globally, the food diplomacy game is crowded: Italy has pasta, Mexico has avocados, Thailand has curry. India must keep innovating, digitising, and diversifying its plate to stay competitive.Yet, in a world where hard diplomacy often ends in deadlock, India's culinary strategy is cooking up trust, culture, and cooperation. It's proving that you don't always need a summit or a sanction to make a statement. Sometimes, you just need a good thali.advertisementSo, the next time someone asks how India plans to sway the global order, you'll know the answer: with bajra, biryani, and a side of strategic spice.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
25 minutes ago
- First Post
India-China ties changing: 4 signs, 1 challenge
After a five-year hiatus triggered by the 2020 border standoff, India and China are burying the hatchet, driven by mutual interest and global pressures read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting in informal setup in 2019 India and China, two of Asia's giants, have been navigating a complex relationship since the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash. However, recent developments signal a cautious warming of ties, driven by mutual interest and global pressures, though challenges remain. Here are four indicators of improving relations and one significant hurdle that persists. 1) India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals After a five-year hiatus triggered by the 2020 border standoff, India has reinstated tourist visas for Chinese citizens, a move aimed at mending strained ties. The announcement, shared by the Indian embassy in Beijing, was reported by China's state-owned Global Times. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called it a 'positive move,' expressing China's willingness to enhance 'facilitation of people-to-people exchanges.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visa suspension, along with restrictions on Chinese investments and apps, followed the 2020 clash that resulted in casualties on both sides. 2) Jaishankar's landmark visit to China External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to China from July 13-15 marked a significant diplomatic milestone, the first such trip since the 2020 standoff. Meeting President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice President Han Zheng before attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Foreign Ministers, Jaishankar noted that both nations have made 'good progress' in normalising relations over the past nine months. He emphasised that maintaining peace along the border is the 'fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust' and called for further de-escalation. 3) China issues 85,000 visas for Indian pilgrims In a reciprocal gesture, China issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens in 2025, particularly for those visiting sacred sites like Mansarovar. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong announced on X, 'As of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens travelling to China this year. Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China.' This surge in visas, following troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, further signals the strengthening of people-to-people ties. 4) Push for direct flight resumption Both nations have agreed to restore direct flights and mutual travel, suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent border clash. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated, 'The two sides agreed to take additional practical steps, including travel to each other's country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges.' While China's foreign ministry statement omitted mention of flights, the agreement reflects a shared interest in easing travel barriers between the world's most populous neighbours. The challenge: Reluctance to share technology Despite these positive steps, a key obstacle remains: Chinese companies' reluctance to share technology and data, the same attitude shown by their Western counterparts. This poses a significant challenge to deeper economic collaboration, testing India's diplomatic finesse. As both nations navigate this issue, India's scepticism about China's intentions, given its history as a hostile, irresponsible and unpredictable neighbour, underscores the need for careful engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump factor- a peace initiative he never takes credit for US President Donald Trump is often visibly eager to claim credit for peace initiatives across the globe in a bid to reinforce his nomination for Nobel Peace Prize. However, the ongoing reconciliation between the two Asian neighbours is something Trump never would brag about. It's Trump's unpredictable policies that have forced Beijing and New Delhi to step closer despite their shared concerns. Recently, China's open support to Pakistan in the four-day standoff with India angered many in New Delhi. However, that frustration didn't culminate in a setback for Sino-Indo ties. India is selectively engaging with Chinese firms while diversifying its economic resources, balancing cooperation with strategic caution.
Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
PM Modi's engagement with the Maldives shows India is playing the long game
Written by Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to the Maldives from July 25 to 26. The visit comes against the backdrop of the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, pushing for a recalibration with India. Driven by economic necessities, India's pragmatic outreach, and China's underwhelming support, he has moderated his 'India Out' policy and rhetoric and toned down his unconditional allegiance to China. Given the backdrop, the visit is a strong symbolic message of Delhi's persistent influence in the country. Besides, it has also laid the ground for New Delhi's long game in the Maldives. By pushing for economic and financial connectivity, especially with the Indian Rupee, and doubling down on political engagement, India is creating new leverage. During PM Modi's visit, both leaders reviewed the entire gamut of relations and agreed to strengthen the multifaceted relationship by implementing the Joint Vision Document. They also inaugurated several India-funded projects, including roads and drainage in Addu city, the Ministry of Defence building, and six High Impact Community Development Projects. India also handed over 72 vehicles for the Maldives National Defence Force, 2 BHISHM Health Cube sets, and 3,300 housing flats. Additionally, they signed four MoUs to further cooperation in pharmacopoeia, meteorology, fisheries, and digitalisation. Most importantly, both countries have signed four agreements on financial and economic connectivity, as the Maldives faces debt distress and declining foreign reserves. As of March 2025, the Maldives has a debt of $9.4 billion, of which nearly 60 per cent is in US Dollars. However, the government continues to struggle with low foreign reserves. Currently, it has a reserve of a mere $850 million, and this year alone, the government will have to service over $600 million, along with maintaining its imports. Next year, it will have to service over $1 billion. Maturing debts, specifically bonds (domestic and external) and Chinese loans, have continued to deplete foreign reserves. China's loans have declined from $613 million in 2021 to $473 million in 2025, and its sovereign guarantees have reduced to $567 million. This has left India as the largest bilateral creditor to the country, especially with loans, currency swaps, and credit lines (LOC) taken under the previous government now maturing. Debts from EXIM India have increased from $15 million in 2021 to $572 million, and the sovereign guarantee is at $608 million. To complicate matters, more than $800 million of Indian loans committed are yet to be disbursed. With a looming economic crisis and increasing Indian debts, India and the Maldives signed an amendatory agreement to close the previous LOC. This will be replaced by a Rupee-denominated LOC worth Rs 4,850 crore (equivalent to $565 million), reducing the Maldives' debt obligations by 40 per cent, from servicing $51 million to $29 million annually, and easing the pressure of depleting US Dollar reserves and overall debts. Another major agreement was the implementation agreement on Unified Payment Interface (UPI). This, together with the RuPay card introduced in October 2024, will boost direct transactions between countries. These developments build on the finalisation of the local currency settlement system. Henceforth, India and the Maldives can now trade and allow tourists, diaspora, and businesses to make cross-border payments in local currencies (Rupees and Rufiyaa) rather than in US Dollars. Both countries also finalised the terms of reference for the India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and formally commenced negotiations on the agreement. With the FTA reducing trade barriers and boosting trade, Indian commodities will become cheaper in the Maldives. India is one of the Maldives' largest trade partners. While their trade is worth $680 million, India exports goods worth $561 million. Earlier, the Maldives would have imported goods from India using US Dollars; they can now do the same with the Indian Rupee, which the Maldives can tap from the currency swap, credit line, and direct transactions. This will help ease pressure on the economy and reduce the outflow of the US Dollar. The FTA will also likely be complemented with a bilateral investment treaty, creating new economic leverage for India. Learning lessons from the past, India also doubled down on its engagements across party lines. During his visit, PM Modi met prominent figures from the ruling party, including those who played a crucial role in the 'India Out' campaign and are close to China. These engagements also included bilateral meetings with the President, the Vice President, and the Speaker of the parliament. Modi also held a meeting with prominent figures from the Jumhooree Party, Maldives National Party, and Maldives Development Alliance. Separate meetings were held with the main Opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party, and former President Mohamed Nasheed. These engagements underline India's attempts at making relations non-partisan and resilient to turbulent domestic politics. PM Modi's latest visit to the Maldives shows that India is letting bygones be bygones, and is more optimistic about the future. There is confidence that the Maldives will understand that regional security is an issue of mutual interest. However, there are some problems. For India, the Maldives' economic stability remains a major challenge. On its part, Malé will continue to engage with Beijing to seek assistance and investments in order to diversify and not become over-reliant on India. Discussions of loan restructuring with China began in January 2024 and have shown little progress, further nudging Muizzu to engage with the country. India, therefore, should not let its guard down. The writer is an associate fellow with the Strategic Studies Programme's Neighbourhood Studies Initiative
Deccan Herald
25 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Xenophobic persecution of Bengali migrant workers
The Indian government's actions are creating a new deportation and detention policy that will disproportionately impact its own citizens who speak Bengali. Samata Biswas
