Belgium Had A Sweet Gift For PM Modi – But India Gate Couldn’t Make It To India

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever revealed an unusual diplomatic gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to New Delhi, but the chocolate sculpture did not survive the journey from Belgium.

Speaking at a joint press conference with PM Modi after their talks at Hyderabad House on Thursday, De Wever said he had planned to present PM Modi with a replica of India Gate made entirely from Belgian chocolate.

The Belgian Prime Minister said the sculpture was damaged while travelling to India.

De Wever said a replacement version is still in Belgium and that he intends to have it delivered to PM Modi. He joked that while chocolate works well for diplomacy, it is less suited to diplomatic travel.

The choice of India Gate was deliberate, De Wever said, as the monument represents the historical links and future partnership between the two countries.

The chocolate replica further highlighted the inscription honouring Indian soldiers who fought and died in Flanders during the First World War.

De Wever said their sacrifice remains an important part of the shared history of India and Belgium and serves as a reminder of the importance of peace.

The Belgian Prime Minister described his first India visit in 20 years as meaningful, while acknowledging that the gap between visits had been too long. He praised the transformation India has undergone, particularly during PM Modi’s leadership.

De Wever said India is now the world’s largest democracy, the fastest-growing major economy and an important economic, technological and geopolitical power. He added that Belgium, despite its smaller size, is among the world’s most open and internationally connected economies and has built its prosperity around trade and access to global markets.