India Showcases Regional Diversity and Economic Growth at 18th BRICS Summit

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. As part of the event, the Ministry of External Affairs has prepared a media kit for journalists that features traditional products from various states to showcase the diversity of the country. The kit includes sattu and makhana from Bihar, Koraput coffee from Odisha, and block printed stoles from Gujarat. Vasudev Ravi, OSD of Public Relations for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that the initiative was a partnership with three state governments to highlight traditional foods and craftsmanship. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary described the inclusion of sattu and makhana as a moment of pride and a realization of the Local to Global vision. Bihar produces approximately 90 percent of the country's makhana, which has seen rising international demand as a healthy superfood. Parallel to the cultural displays, BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted India's economic trajectory during the summit. Prasad cited IMF data showing a 7.8 percent growth rate and asserted that India has moved from being a Fragile Five economy to one of the world's top five economies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.