Delhi hotels turn BRICS stays into a showcase of Indian food and craft

At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, visiting heads of state and foreign ministers are receiving keychains bearing their names on a single grain of rice, alongside a recipe book inspired by the mothers of Taj chefs.

The hotel is among several Delhi properties hosting delegations during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, being held on September 12 and 13. Its welcome programme includes flute and sitar performances, drummers, conch players, aarti, flowers, handcrafted scarves and illuminated brass lotus installations.

Its menus include Nalli Nihari with Khamiri Roti, Delhi 6 Chicken Korma and Gucchi Chole Pulao, alongside dishes such as steamed Chilean seabass with turmeric and lime in banana leaf. Dr Anmol Ahluwalia, the hotel’s area director of operations and general manager, said the recipe collection is intended to share India’s culinary traditions with visiting guests.

ITC Maurya is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin and has created chocolate Matryoshka dolls as part of an India-Russia-themed welcome. The summit security plan covers 11 hotels and 35 major routes, with about 25,000 personnel, more than 100 NSG commandos and anti-drone systems deployed in Delhi.