Overview
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said at a joint press conference Thursday that a life‑sized replica of New Delhi’s India Gate made from Belgian chocolate was intended as a gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The fragile chocolate sculpture was damaged during its journey to India and the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi posted a photograph of the broken piece on X, drawing viral public attention.
- De Wever treated the incident lightly in public, saying “chocolate is excellent for diplomacy, but not excellent for diplomatic travel,” and confirmed a finished backup replica remains in Belgium and will be sent later.
- The choice of India Gate was deliberate: the chocolate copy enlarged an inscription honoring the more than 9,000 Indian soldiers who fought and died in Flanders Fields as a symbolic link between the two countries.
- The gift mishap did not derail talks, as De Wever and Modi agreed to deepen cooperation on defence, organised crime, renewable energy and trade and discussed a future visit by Modi to Belgium.