NEW DELHI: Shanghai witnessed a grand celebration of Indiaโs culinary heritage as Consul General Pratik Mathur hosted a vibrant food festival at Masala Mantra. The event showcased the diversity and richness of Indian cuisine, drawing a significant diplomatic presence, including U.S. Consul General Scott Walker, Russian Consul General Dmitrii Aleksiev, Singapore CG Lee Chok Tsie, and Malaysia CG Syed Ali.
The festival highlighted Indiaโs growing cultural influence in China, with the flying naan bread emerging as a crowd favorite. Attendees explored a variety of dishes from both North and South India, emphasizing the deep-rooted Buddhist culinary influences that continue to shape Chinese appreciation for Indian food. Millet-based breads, a staple of Indiaโs ancient dietary traditions, also piqued interest, reflecting a global shift towards healthy and sustainable food choices.
Masala Magic โ The Spring of Indiaโs Culinary Soft Power ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ช
CG @PratikMathur1 hosted an ๐ฎ๐ณ food festival at the restaurant Masala Mantra in Shanghai this week, showcasing the diversity and richness of #IndianCuisine.
The festival saw wide participation by the diplomaticโฆ pic.twitter.com/6TpDwYDi1j
โ India In Shanghai (@IndiaInShanghai) April 3, 2025
This culinary extravaganza comes at a significant moment, marking the 75th anniversary of India-China relations, recently acknowledged in exchanged greetings between Presidents Xi Jinping and Droupadi Murmu. The festival underscored the increasing people-to-people ties between the two nations, with Shanghaiโs youth expressing a growing curiosity about Indian culture, tourism, and traditions.
ALSO READ: Sonam Kalra wins Three Silver Medals at Global Music Awards 2025
Beyond the diplomats, the event saw enthusiastic participation from academics, business leaders, and the Chinese public, reaffirming food as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy. With Indiaโs soft power gaining traction in Chinese cities like Shanghai, such events play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and goodwill.
As Indian cuisine continues to captivate global palates, the festival at Masala Mantra proved that the language of food transcends borders, bringing nations closer one plate at a time.
