How Indian Culinary Diplomacy And Festivals Drive Global Trade, Tourism And International Relations

Published on December 7, 2025

The premise of diplomacy being dispensed on a banana leaf or presented straight from a sizzling tandoor has moved beyond mere speculation and into strategic execution. It is now evident that robust bridges between sovereign nations can be constructed, not solely through the signing of formal trade treaties, but also over shared consumption of delectable Indian cuisine. In contemporary times, the gastronomic presentation of a nation often speaks more profoundly than political rhetoric, and the sensory experiences created through food possess a greater resonance than traditional news cycles.

Within this dynamic environment of culinary diplomacy, food has silently but effectively emerged as a potent mechanism for fostering global relations. The comprehensive potential of a meticulously planned culinary experience is only now beginning to be fully realized by India as a powerful instrument of soft power and economic expansion.

The Evolution of Gastronomic Influence

Historically, food has always been incorporated as a subtle subtext to complex narratives of trade, power dynamics, and cultural exchange. The ancient Silk Route, for instance, was intrinsically also a spice route, which facilitated the distribution of prized Indian spices into Mughal courts, Persian ports, and European kitchens. Today, however, the stakes are considerably higher, and the opportunities for leverage are broader than ever before.

Global initiatives, such as the widely recognised ‘Global Thai’ program pioneered by Thailand, and ‘Goût de France’, a celebrated food festival championed by France, have convincingly demonstrated to the international community how a nation’s culinary culture can effectively chart a forward-looking course and successfully attract massive crowds to its cultural centres. These preceding examples have been carefully observed, and valuable lessons have been subsequently integrated into India’s own emerging strategy. A clear and cohesive national focus is now being placed upon projecting the rich tapestry of India’s food heritage on the world stage.

The Economic Multiplier: Food as a Trade Catalyst

Indian culinary diplomacy is fundamentally understood to act as a significant trade booster. When foreigners are successfully introduced to and subsequently embrace Indian products, a corresponding rise in the demand for these specific goods is generated, which directly translates into increased national exports. Recent data confirms this correlation. It was reported by Spices Board India that Indian spice exports reached unprecedented levels in FY25, surpassing 18 lakh tonnes.

This remarkable volume was recorded at a value of Rs. 39,994 crore (equivalent to US$ 4.66 billion dollars), representing a notable 8% increase when compared to the figures registered in FY24. Simultaneously, tea exports were observed reaching their 10-year high, with FY24 exports amounting to 255 million kilograms, valued at Rs. 7,930 crore (approximately US$ 924 million), which constituted an increase of approximately 10% over the preceding year. On a larger scale of global commerce, India was officially ranked as the eighth largest exporter of agricultural goods worldwide in FY23.

From Local Showcases to Global Engagement: The Festival Strategy

India’s overarching strategy for culinary diplomacy is currently being advanced on two complementary fronts: through local celebration and systematic global promotion. At the very core of both strategies, food festivals are positioned strategically. These events successfully bring together celebrated chefs, international tourists, national diplomats, and, crucially, interested people from all over the world.

Domestically, large-scale festivals such as the National Street Food Festival in Delhi put India’s immense culinary diversity on full display. In December 2023, the festival was reported to have attracted more than 70,000 visitors and featured vibrant street food from 28 states, managed through more than 120 individual stalls. Here, food stalls effectively doubled as cultural embassies, with offerings ranging from Kashmir’s Yakhni to Nagaland’s smoked pork. Visitors were not only fed; they were taken on a comprehensive journey across India through the distinct sense of taste.

The G20 Dinner: A Masterstroke of Subtle Diplomacy

A pivotal turning point in India’s culinary diplomacy was registered during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi. Global leaders were received and honored not only with conventional handshakes and formal speeches but also with a specially crafted, sustainable, and vegetarian menu rooted in diversity. Unique dishes such as jackfruit galette, saffron lotus stem ‘pulao’, and ragi ‘laddoos’ were not only praised for their flavor but were also strategically selected as a core component of the Indian push toward millets, thereby supporting climate-conscious agriculture and the concurrent International Year of Millets. The careful selection of every course ensured that a powerful message was subtly conveyed to the world’s most influential decision-makers, emphasizing India’s culinary sophistication and commitment to global sustainability goals.

Sustaining Growth and National Projection

Food has cemented its position as a potent force in the global realm of tourism, functioning as a tangible window into the soul of a nation during an age when modern travellers seek experiences beyond standard tourist sites. As a country defined by magnificent food diversity and possessing centuries-old food traditions, India holds an unparalleled position in this domain. Within India’s vast geography, every regional meal is intrinsically tied to a story, every festival plate becomes a lasting memory, and every shared meal sparks a vital cultural connection.

Crucially, with the mounting curiosity for Indian cuisine being registered on palates around the world, the country is actively catering to this growing international awareness. In turn, employment opportunities are being generated, its crucial exports are being enhanced, and India is successfully projecting itself as a premier global culinary hotspot. A more deliberate and strategic approach to utilizing food as an integral component of tourism and trade policies can help India transform what is already a rich cooking tradition into a strategic national resource—a resource that feeds the national economy, richly enriches culture, and eloquently tells the nuanced story of India, one delicious bite at a time.