Belgian PM Bart De Wever Brings Chocolate India Gate for Narendra Modi, but Gift Melts Before Meeting

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in India with a unique diplomatic gift in mind for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a sculpture of Delhi's iconic India Gate crafted entirely out of Belgian chocolate, but the confectionery replica failed to survive the journey and never made it to the meeting table.

Chocolate Sculpture Didn't Survive The Trip

Speaking at a joint press conference on Thursday, De Wever revealed that he had planned to present Modi with the chocolate monument as a tribute to the two nations' shared history.

'I had actually planned to present to Prime Minister Modi a fitting gift, a sculpture of India Gate entirely made out of the best Belgian chocolates. But unlike the real India Gate, which has stood for almost a century, the chocolate version didn't even survive the journey to India,' De Wever said. 'Congratulations to My Friend': PM Narendra Modi Praises Giorgia Meloni on Becoming Italy's Longest-Serving Prime Minister.

Belgian PM Brings Chocolate For Modi, But Gift Melts Before Meeting

He added, 'Chocolate is excellent for diplomacy, but not excellent for diplomatic travel, we noticed. But no worries, we have a backup in Belgium, and one way or another, I will get it to Prime Minister Modi in one piece. That's an ambition I leave India with today.'

Why India Gate Was Chosen

De Wever said the choice of monument was deliberate, describing India Gate as a symbol of the shared history between India and Belgium as well as the future partnership between the two countries. Giorgia Meloni Thanks PM Narendra Modi, Says India-Italy Ties ‘Stronger Than Ever’.

The chocolate replica also carried an inscription honouring Indian soldiers who fought and died in Flanders Fields during the First World War. 'More than a century ago, Indian soldiers travelled thousands of miles to fight on Belgian soil, and we have not forgotten this,' he said, recalling their 'courage and sacrifice.'

According to De Wever, the episode reflected the shared history between India and Belgium and carried a wider message that peace can never be taken for granted, a lesson he said had unfortunately become relevant again in today's world.

First Belgian PM Visit In Two Decades

De Wever is on a two-day official visit to India from September 2 to 4, 2026, marking the first trip to India by a Belgian prime minister in two decades. During the visit, he held bilateral talks with Modi in New Delhi.

The Belgian leader also praised the transformation India has undergone over the past 20 years, particularly under Modi's leadership. 'It is also particularly meaningful to be here as the first Belgian Prime Minister in 20 years, and that's a very long time. It's too long. In those 20 years, India has changed enormously, and certainly in the period of the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,' De Wever said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2026 11:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).