From ‘Varniila’ to ‘Nisarga’: Taftaan, Kashmiri Girda and Rasmalai in PM Modi's India AI Summit Gala menu

PM Modi at India AI Impact Summit

• PM Modi hosted a gala dinner for AI Summit guests at Bharat Mandapam
• Menu showcased India's seasonal diversity and culinary heritage
• Over 20 Heads of State and 500 AI leaders attended the summit

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Guests attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam were treated to a thoughtfully curated gala dinner that reflected India’s seasonal diversity and culinary heritage.

Hosted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the summit, the dinner took place at the Multifunction Hall at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The evening coincided with the festival of 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.”

Menu highlights

The multi-course spread began with a starter titled “Varniila ‘Colourful and Vivid’”, featuring baby spinach crisp, yoghurt sphere, tamarind date chutney, cilantro relish with old Delhi masala, and a Jowar Crisp.

For the main course, diners were served “Sasya ‘Harvest- Produce of the Field’”. The platter included GI Tagged Munsyari Rajma Gilawat, Pahadi rice & Jhangora pulao, Kumaoni Aloo aur subz ke gutke, and a silky tomato anari sauce.

A selection of Indian breads followed, including Taftaan, described as leavened Indian bread with melon seeds, and Kashmiri Girda, referred to as a famed Kashmiri bread.

Dessert was presented as “Nisarga ‘Natures Creation’”, comprising Rasmalai Tres Leches with Winterberry preserve. The menu described it as moist and creamy ‘chena’ cake sponge soaked in sweetened milk, paired with winter berry compote and perched on pearl millet streusel.

Beverages served at the gala included Kashmiri Kahwa, filter coffee and Darjeeling tea, along with Indian Rose and Mishri Gulkand Chocolate Leaf.

Summit and dignitaries

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed a host of world leaders to the venue as part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, being held from February 16 to 20.

The gathering has drawn over 20 Heads of State, 60 Ministers, and 500 global AI leaders. Anchored in three core pillars -- People, Planet and Progress -- the summit aims to convert global deliberations on artificial intelligence into practical development outcomes under the IndiaAI Mission and the Digital India initiative.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver the inaugural address on February 19.