Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vegetarian tastes were well catered for at Chequers, the British prime minister’s country residence in Buckinghamshire, where he was served dishes like mushroom pulao (rice) and tarka dal. Cameron hosted Modi for what has been described as an “intimate dinner” last evening after a power-packed day that included delegation-level talks, an address to MPs and a speech at the financial hub of London.
The two leaders got a chance to relax over the private dinner for which Cameron’s expert chefs had prepared British autumn salad of beet and root as a starter, followed up by a main course of porcini mushroom pulao, tarka dal and kachumber salad with mango pudding for dessert.
The menu also reflected a perfect India-UK blend with some of Britain’s seasonal vegetables being used for the Indian dishes. A similar menu is expected from the royal chefs of the Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II hosted a lunch in the honour of Modi on Friday.
“The Queen will receive the Prime Minister of the Republic of India and later hold a lunch for the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace. The Prime Minister is in the United Kingdom on an official visit as a Guest of Government,” a Palace spokesperson said.
The Queen will greet Modi at the Grand Entrance of her London palace and then move on to inspect items from the Royal Collection, brought out specially for the Indian Prime Minister’s visit. Soon after the lunch, Modi will make his way to Wembley Stadium to address a 60,000-strong audience at the ‘UK Welcomes Modi’ event.