{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Indian Regional Flavors and Heritage to Take Center Stage at BRICS Summit 2026",
  "summary": "The upcoming BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi will showcase India's cultural diversity by featuring Bihar's sattu and makhana, Odisha's Koraput coffee, and Gujarat's traditional handicrafts in the media kits for journalists.",
  "content": "The highly anticipated BRICS Summit 2026 is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2026, at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This major international event will bring together the leaders of 11 prominent emerging economies to deliberate on critical issues surrounding global trade and the advancement of inclusive, sustainable economic development. However, beyond the high-level diplomatic dialogues and policy negotiations, the summit is also serving as a grand stage to highlight the vibrant cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions of India. The official media kits curated for the attending journalists are designed to tell a compelling story of India's rich regional legacy, ranging from traditional foods and beverages to exquisite handloom products.\n\nConnecting Nations Through the Philosophy of Sangam\nTo capture the spirit of unity and shared progress, the cultural presentation at the summit incorporates symbolic artistic elements. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that the artwork designed for the occasion is inspired by the ancient Indian concept of Sangam, which represents the confluence of different rivers flowing together in harmony. Randhir Jaiswal said, \"The artwork brings together artists and cultures from across BRICS in a celebration of friendship and unity in diversity.\" This creative initiative reflects the core themes of India's BRICS Chairship in 2026, emphasizing resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. By integrating these values into the visual identity of the event, India aims to foster a deeper sense of partnership among the participating nations, showing how diverse paths can converge toward common global goals.\n\n \n\nBihar's Sattu and Makhana Enter the Global Limelight\nAmong the most prominent highlights of the media kit are the traditional food items from Bihar, which have long been celebrated for their nutritional value and deep roots in regional history. Journalists from around the globe will receive Bihar's famous sattu and makhana as part of their welcome packages. Sattu is a highly nutritious, protein-rich flour produced by dry-roasting Bengal gram, barley, or a blend of selected grains and legumes. These ingredients are parched and traditionally ground on stone mills into a coarse, versatile powder. This staple food has been a cornerstone of Bihari cuisine, valued both as an everyday source of energy and as a traditional delicacy for special celebrations. Alongside sattu, the kit features makhana, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds, which are puffy, round seeds harvested from aquatic plants. Bihar holds a virtual monopoly on this superfood, accounting for approximately 90% of the entire global production of makhana.\n\nThe inclusion of these regional delicacies has drawn widespread praise from state leaders. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary expressed his pride regarding this initiative, noting that the items in the Delhi welcome kit showcase Bihar's rich heritage. Samrat Chaudhary said, \"The sattu and makhana included in the Welcome Kit at the Delhi BRICS Summit are emblems of our taste, tradition, and entrepreneurship.\" He also extended his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving the vision of converting local products into global brands, declaring that the flavors of Bihar are now successfully presenting themselves on the international stage. Similarly, Janata Dal (United) national working president and Member of Parliament Sanjay Kumar Jha welcomed the move, calling it a wonderful tribute to local agricultural communities. Sanjay Kumar Jha said, \"It's heartening to see Bihar's makhana along with our superfood sattu finding a place in the gift hampers for journalists.\" He observed that bringing these local superfoods from the rural fields of Bihar to an international diplomatic platform is an exceptional way to demonstrate the state's agricultural excellence to the global press.\n\nSipping Odisha's Premium Koraput Coffee\nIn addition to traditional snacks, the media kits offer a premium beverage experience from the eastern part of India. International and domestic journalists will have the opportunity to taste authentic Koraput coffee powder, which is sourced directly from the picturesque Eastern Ghats of Odisha. This premium coffee is made from 100% shade-grown Arabica beans, which are carefully cultivated and hand-harvested by local tribal farmers. The coffee farms are situated at high elevations exceeding 3,000 feet above sea level, providing the perfect microclimate for developing rich, complex flavors. The beans undergo a light-to-medium roasting process to preserve their natural tasting notes and are ground to a filter-ready consistency without the addition of any chicory, ensuring a pure and single-origin coffee experience. To bring this unique aromatic experience to the global stage, the Ministry of External Affairs collaborated closely with the state government of Odisha, highlighting the region's emerging potential in the luxury coffee market.\n\nGujarat's Block-Printed Artistry as a Souvenir\nThe cultural showcase is not limited to food and beverages, as the welcome kits also feature exceptional examples of Indian craftsmanship. Journalists will receive a beautifully crafted block-printed stole, a traditional accessory that is highly celebrated in Gujarat. This souvenir represents the meticulous skills and artistic legacy of Gujarati artisans, who use hand-carved wooden blocks to stamp intricate patterns onto fabrics. Vasudev Ravi, the Officer on Special Duty for Public Relations at the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized the significance of this diplomatic gesture. Vasudev Ravi said, \"This is an opportunity for us to showcase the India Story and highlight aspects to our colleagues in the media.\" By partnering with three different state governments, the ministry aimed to put a spotlight on authentic regional foods and traditional artistic skills. Vasudev Ravi highlighted that Gujarat's diverse handicraft culture played a key role in the decision to include these stoles, ensuring that visitors take home a tangible piece of India's artistic excellence.\n\n \n\nA Strategic Showcase of Local to Global Vision\nThe integration of these unique state products into the BRICS Summit 2026 media kits represents a strategic effort to implement India's broader vision of elevating regional economic assets to global prominence. By showcasing sattu, makhana, Koraput coffee, and Gujarati stoles, the government is creating direct visibility for rural farmers, tribal cultivators, and traditional artisans. This cultural diplomacy ensures that the benefits of hosting a massive international conference extend beyond geopolitical discussions, directly supporting local micro-economies. It allows foreign journalists to experience India's agricultural diversity firsthand, potentially opening up new export channels and boosting international interest in India's unique geographical indication products. Through this thoughtful curation, the BRICS Summit is set to be remembered not only for its economic agreements but also for its rich display of India's regional pride.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe selection of regional Indian products for the BRICS Summit 2026 media kit directly highlights the growing global potential of local micro-economies and traditional livelihoods.\n\n• Across India: Rural farmers and artisans gain massive international exposure through high-profile events. This opens up new export channels and boosts the market demand for indigenous Indian goods.\n• In Bihar: Local farmers cultivating makhana and sattu will see increased commercial value and pride in their agricultural heritage. This recognition encourages better pricing and entrepreneurship opportunities in the state's rural sectors.\n• In Odisha: Tribal coffee growers in the Koraput region receive a prestigious platform to showcase their high-altitude Arabica coffee. This can lead to increased investment in the region's specialty coffee sector and improved income for indigenous farmers.\n• In Gujarat: Handloom weavers and block-printing artisans gain direct visibility before a global audience. This preserves traditional craft forms while driving sustainable demand for handcrafted Gujarati stoles and textiles.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe inclusion of these regional specialties is a calculated cultural diplomacy effort by the Indian government during its BRICS Chairship to align international events with domestic economic goals.\n\n• Strategic Partnership: The Ministry of External Affairs collaborated with the state governments of Bihar, Odisha, and Gujarat to handpick items representing India's culinary and craft diversity. This approach transforms a political summit into a promotional platform for regional achievements.\n• Promoting Local to Global: The selection aligns with the national vision of taking local Indian superfoods and unique handicrafts to the international market. This provides immediate global visibility to products that usually rely on domestic buyers.\n• Highlighting Sustainable Practices: Products like the shade-grown Koraput coffee harvested by tribal farmers and hand-made Gujarati stoles showcase India's dedication to eco-friendly, community-driven, and sustainable production methods on a global stage.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When and where is the BRICS Summit 2026 taking place?\nThe summit is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.\n\n2. Which states' products have been featured in the media kits for journalists?\nThe media kits feature traditional culinary items from Bihar, premium coffee from Odisha, and traditional handicrafts from Gujarat.\n\n3. Which specific products from Bihar are included in the welcome kit?\nThe welcome kit includes Bihar's traditional protein-rich sattu and its famous makhana (lotus seeds).\n\n4. What are the unique characteristics of Odisha's Koraput coffee?\nThis coffee is made from 100% shade-grown Arabica beans harvested by tribal farmers in the Eastern Ghats at altitudes above 3,000 feet, featuring no added chicory.\n\n5. What traditional gift represents Gujarat's craftsmanship in the kit?\nJournalists received a traditional and distinctive block-printed stole representing Gujarat's artisan legacy.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/national/brics-shikhara-sammelana-2026-bihar-ka-sattu-makhana-odisha-ki-koraput-kophi-aura-gujarat-ke-hastashilpa-se-mahakega-delhi-ka-bhar-31374",
  "category": "India",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-12",
  "tags": [
    "BRICS Summit 2026",
    "Bharat Mandapam",
    "Bihar Sattu",
    "Bihar Makhana",
    "Koraput Coffee",
    "Gujarat Handicrafts",
    "Cultural Diplomacy"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}