What is on the menu for Trump in India?
NEW DELHI — President Trump loves a good steak and a juicy hamburger. But neither will be on the menu for official events during his 36 hours in India, where cows are considered sacred by many Hindus and and beef is banned in numerous states.
What exactly Trump is eating during his trip has been a matter of intense speculation. On Tuesday evening, he is attending a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of India’s ceremonial president. The menu has not been released officially, but according to a local media report, it will feature spiced Atlantic salmon and grilled goat meat.
On Monday, a vegetarian snacks menu designed for Trump’s visit to the city of Ahmedabad provoked a strong reaction on social media. Some were aghast at the inclusion of broccoli samosa — an unusual version of the popular Indian street food snack consisting of deep-fried savory pastry with a potato filling.
Many expressed disgust at the “miserable snack,” calling it “unconstitutional” and a “gross affront.” One user tweeted that the item was “a travesty” while another noted: “If you change a samosa’s fillings, you are playing with feelings!”
Other items on the snack menu included khaman, a local specialty from the state of Gujarat, where Trump first landed and held a rally with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It is a high tea and I have planned the dishes as per the weather in Ahmedabad, which is warm,” said Suresh Khanna, the chef who prepared the menu.
To drink, there was coconut water in Tetrapak packaging and seven types of tea. It is not clear whether Trump ate any of the snacks on offer.