Vegetarian Media Meals at BRICS Summit Trigger Online Mix-Up in New Delhi
Vegetarian media meals at Bharat Mandapam during the September 12-13 BRICS Summit sparked online reactions, as the MEA clarified that leaders dined at luxury hotels on elaborate regional menus.
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the vegetarian meals were provided only for the media. The arrangements were similar to those made during the 2023 G20 Summit.
According to the clarification, leaders did not have breakfast at the venue. Instead, they dined at luxury hotels, where elaborate regional menus included kebabs and spiced walnuts.
Fake News!
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) September 12, 2026
No breakfast was served to world leaders at the Summit Venue today. The visual is from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam. pic.twitter.com/Wkk8DILjo8
The distinction between the media arrangements and the meals served to leaders became a point of discussion online. Reactions ranged from cultural references to India’s vegetarian traditions to complaints about the portions served to journalists.
Despite the online debate over the food arrangements, many reactions described the issue as a minor detail compared with the global discussions taking place at the BRICS Summit.

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