Speech of Ambassador at the Food Festival
Almaty, Kazakhstan
September 24, 2025

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,
Esteemed Partners from the Intercontinental Hotel,
Talented Chefs from India and Kazakhstan,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaste and Assalamu Alaikum!

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all this evening to the grand inauguration of the “Flavors of India” festival at this magnificent venue, the Intercontinental Hotel, Almaty.

We are gathered here for a truly delicious purpose – to celebrate one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cuisines. Indian food is much more than just sustenance; it is an story of our land, a melody of spices, a testament to our history, and a warm invitation to experience the very soul of India.

From the fragrant biryani of the North to the tangy rasam of the South, from the fiery vindaloo of the West to the subtle shorshe ilish of the East, the dishes you will experience tonight are a culinary map of my country. Each spice tells a story of ancient trade routes, each recipe has been perfected over generations, and every flavor is prepared with a key ingredient that you cannot find in any kitchen – and that is dil se pyaar… love from the heart.

This festival is not just about food; it is a bridge between our two great nations and our people. India and Kazakhstan share a deep and historical connection, from the ancient Silk Road that once carried not just silk and spices, but also ideas and culture, to our modern strategic partnership.

I recall the words of the great Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbaev, who spoke of the importance of knowledge and understanding between cultures. And what better way to foster this understanding than through the universal language of food? Just as Kazakhstan is renowned for its hospitality and its rich culinary traditions like beshbarmak and baursaks, India takes great pride in offering its atithi devo bhava – the guest is god.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful partners, the Intercontinental Hotel Almaty, for their excellent collaboration and for providing this splendid setting. My special thanks to the team of talented chefs who have traveled from India, bringing with them the authentic tastes and aromas of our homeland. They will be working alongside their Kazakh counterparts, and this collaboration itself is a beautiful symbol of our friendship.

To all the guests here tonight, I encourage you to embark on this culinary journey. Let your taste buds travel from the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene backwaters of Kerala, from the royal kitchens of Rajasthan to the coastal flavors of Bengal.

Explore, ask questions, and savor not just the food, but the culture it represents. This is a taste of India’s incredible diversity and its timeless warmth.

In conclusion, I believe that while diplomats and leaders work on building partnerships between governments, it is events like these that build the far more important partnership between people.

So, without further ado, it is my honor and privilege to declare the “Flavors of India” Food Festival open!

Thank you.
Rakhmet.
And Bon Appétit!