A light-hearted “chocolate diplomacy” episode involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgium has triggered fresh discussion after a special diplomatic gift failed to survive its journey to India.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever revealed during his visit to New Delhi that he had planned to present Modi with a replica of India Gate made entirely from Belgian chocolate. However, the elaborate gift was damaged during transit and could not be presented as originally intended.
Speaking alongside Modi in New Delhi, De Wever joked that while the real India Gate has stood for nearly a century, its chocolate version could not withstand the journey. He quipped that chocolate is “excellent for diplomacy” but not necessarily for diplomatic travel.
The episode has drawn attention because it follows another widely discussed chocolate-related diplomatic moment involving Modi. During his May visit to Italy, Modi presented Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a packet of Melody toffees, a playful reference to the “Melodi” nickname that had become popular on social media.
The latest incident has therefore added another unusual chapter to the growing conversation around “chocolate diplomacy” and the role of symbolic gestures in modern international relations.
While the Belgian gift ultimately failed to reach Modi intact, De Wever said a backup version of the chocolate India Gate remained in Belgium and could still be delivered later. The episode has provided a lighter moment during an otherwise formal phase of India-Belgium diplomatic engagement.
