Modi to host state dinner for BRICS-BIMSTEC leaders at beachside hotel
Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a state dinner for the visiting heads of states and government of the BRICS and BIMSTEC groups at the iconic beachside luxury hotel 'Leela Goa' on Sunday night.
The heads of state and governments of 11 nations, including Prime Minister Modi will be meeting for two days at the BRICS-BIMSTEC summit in Goa beginning tomorrow at the Taj Exotica.
While the five-member BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the seven-member BIMSTEC bloc has Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jin Ping of China, Michel Temer of Brazil and Jacob Zuma of South Africa will be dining at the Leela, Aung Sang Suu Kyi of Myanmar, Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka, Prayut Chan o Cha of Thailand, Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, Pushpa Kamal Dahal of Nepal and Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan will be the guests at the hotel.
While the meetings are happening at multiple venues in the coastal state, the Leela is the only place where all these leaders and their key delegates will be converging for the state dinner where exclusive Indian cuisine will be served on the beach, a Leela hotel spokesperson said.
The Leela Goa, a 75-acre exclusive resort overlooking the tranquil Sal river and the lofty Betul mountains, is situated on the pristine Mobor beach.
The state dinner will be preceded by BRICS summit and BIMSTEC outreach. "More than 250 dignitaries from around the globe will attend the seven-course curated dinner. The event will also feature eclectic cultural performances from renowned artists across India," Shridhar Nair, general manager of Leela Goa said.
"Our chefs have been researching and curating the 'perfect' seven course meal for several months for this important closing state banquet. Our effort is to showcase our nation's rich culinary heritage to these international guests," he said.
Special arrangements have been made for the motorcades of the 11 heads of states, including, over 180 luxury sedans, in addition to the military escort vehicles, the hotel said.
The hotel which recently underwent a USD 5-million refurbishment is a striking confluence of Portuguese and Indian architecture.
