Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India on December 4–5 for the 23rd India–Russia Summit. Putin is returning to India after four years, and both countries are preparing to make this visit go smoothly.
Over the years, his hosts have put together elaborate, carefully planned menus — from Mughlai spreads to Kashmiri classics. As he is expected to have a private dinner with PM Modi at Hyderabad House again, here’s a look back at what he was served during his earlier visits.
Putin’s India visit: A Taste of Kashmir
For the 2014 dinner hosted by former President Pranab Mukherjee, the menu carried a strong Kashmiri touch. According to a Times of India report (published in 2014), Putin was served Kahwa, Kashmir’s famous saffron-based drink, and Haak ka Saag, a spinach dish slow-cooked in its own juices, along with several non-vegetarian dishes. These included Galauti Kebabs, seasoned with mild spices, and Murg Dhaniwal Korma, chicken cooked in a coriander gravy. He was also served Badam Shorba, and a selection of mushrooms, cottage cheese and vegetables cooked with onion seeds. For dessert, Gulaab Kheer (rose-flavoured rice pudding), cheesecake and fresh fruits were served.
Putin’s India visit: A grand Mughlai spread
During Putin’s 2018 visit, Hyderabad House hosted a large dinner reception. The chefs prepared several dozen dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, keeping Putin’s security and food preferences in mind.
According to the EurAsian Times, the menu included salmon fillet with a light parsley and cheese sauce, minced lamb roasted with onions, chilli peppers and saffron, juicy chicken pieces grilled and stewed in a creamy sauce, and lamb cooked in traditional Mughlai style.
There were also several vegetarian options, such as watermelon cream soup, puff pastry made with sprouts and sweet tamarind yoghurt, kebabs made with lotus stems and lentils served with mango sauce, homemade cheese and peas in makhni gravy, basmati rice flavoured with black peas and ricotta “silver pearls”, and seasonal vegetables and asparagus.
It is still not clear which dishes Putin actually ate, given the tight security protocols and private food-tasting procedures that follow him everywhere to ensure his dietary needs and safety.
What Putin likes to eat in general
Putin’s everyday food choices are simple and traditional. He is known for sticking to clean, uncomplicated meals.
Putin’s breakfast includes porridge or tvorog (Russian cottage cheese) mixed with honey, along with raw quail eggs and a glass of fresh juice. For protein, he often chooses fish, especially smoked sturgeon with lemon and butter, or lamb, which he has eaten since childhood. He rarely eats desserts or sugary dishes and usually sticks to tomatoes, cucumbers and salads. He also drinks kefir, a popular fermented dairy beverage. On rare occasions, he is said to enjoy pistachio ice cream.
