CM Samrat Choudhary hails Thekua gifting in Slovakia visit
Synopsis
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary hailed PM Modi's presentation of traditional Thekua during his Slovakia visit as a proud moment for Bihar's folk heritage and a step toward stronger India-Slovakia cultural ties.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary praised PM Narendra Modi on 14 July 2026 for gifting Thekua — a traditional Bihari sweet — during a visit to Slovakia .
Thekua is a sesame-and-jaggery sweet closely associated with Bihar's Chhath Puja festival and is a marker of Bihari cultural identity.
CM Choudhary described the gesture as a 'beautiful introduction' of Bihar's culture, warmth, and folk traditions to a global audience.
India and Slovakia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1993 , with cultural and educational cooperation forming a key pillar of bilateral ties.
The episode reflects the Modi government's broader policy since 2014 of using state-specific cultural gifts to project India's regional diversity during overseas visits.
The moment could catalyse future cultural or trade engagements between Bihar and Slovak institutions.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for presenting Bihar's traditional Thekua as a cultural gift during his visit to Slovakia, calling it a proud moment for every Bihari and a symbol of India's rich folk heritage reaching the global stage.
Context
Posting on X, CM Choudhary wrote: 'बिहार की मिठास और विरासत का विश्व मंच तक पहुंचना प्रत्येक बिहारी के लिए गर्व का विषय है' — 'Bihar's sweetness and heritage reaching the world stage is a matter of pride for every Bihari.' He specifically highlighted the respectful presentation of Thekua — a sesame-and-jaggery sweet traditionally prepared during the Chhath festival — as a dignified introduction of Bihar's culture and folk traditions to a European audience.
The Chief Minister also noted that such heartfelt cultural exchanges strengthen the friendship between India and Slovakia, framing the gesture as more than ceremonial — a bridge between peoples.
Policy Backdrop
Since 2014, the Modi government has institutionalised the practice of cultural gifting and heritage promotion during bilateral visits, using state-specific traditions to project India's regional diversity on the world stage. This approach has become a consistent thread in India's soft-power diplomacy, with indigenous crafts, textiles, and foods frequently featuring in diplomatic exchanges with European and other global partners.
India and Slovakia established diplomatic relations in 1993, following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, with subsequent cooperation focusing on cultural and educational ties. The two countries have maintained a steady diplomatic relationship, and high-level visits carry symbolic weight in deepening people-to-people engagement alongside strategic interests.
Stakeholders and Impact
For Bihar — one of India's most populous and culturally distinct eastern states — the spotlight on Thekua carries both cultural and economic resonance. The sweet is deeply embedded in Bihari identity, particularly through the Chhath Puja tradition observed by millions of Biharis across India and the diaspora worldwide. Its appearance on a bilateral diplomatic stage lends visibility to Bihar's artisanal and culinary heritage.
Regional leaders like CM Choudhary increasingly use such moments to align state-level identity with national foreign policy narratives, reinforcing the BJP's broader messaging around cultural nationalism and 'Brand India' abroad. Bihari communities in Europe and across the globe are likely to view the gesture as a recognition of their roots at the highest diplomatic level.
What's Next
The cultural exchange could lay groundwork for follow-up engagements between Bihar and Slovak institutions, potentially in the areas of cultural tourism, handicraft exports, or educational cooperation. Observers will watch whether this moment is referenced in any joint statements or India-EU summit documentation as an example of sub-national cultural diplomacy. More broadly, the episode reinforces a pattern in which state governments actively participate in shaping India's international cultural identity, a trend that is likely to deepen as India's global diplomatic footprint expands.
Point of View
Where state-specific traditions are consciously woven into national diplomatic narratives. CM Choudhary's swift public endorsement signals how regional BJP leaders leverage such moments to reinforce both cultural pride and political alignment with the Centre. For Bihar — a state that often battles negative stereotypes in national discourse — having its folk tradition spotlighted at a European bilateral summit carries outsized symbolic value. The pattern also suggests that cultural diplomacy is increasingly a two-way instrument: the Centre projects national diversity abroad, while state governments harvest the domestic political dividend.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thekua and why is it significant to Bihar?
Thekua is a traditional sweet from Bihar made with wheat flour, jaggery, and sesame or coconut, most commonly prepared during the Chhath Puja festival. It is a deeply rooted symbol of Bihari culture and identity, celebrated by millions of Biharis across India and the diaspora.
Why did PM Modi gift Thekua during the Slovakia visit?
According to Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary's post, Thekua was presented as a cultural gift during PM Modi's visit to Slovakia as a gesture representing India's rich folk heritage. The Modi government has since 2014 made cultural gifting a regular feature of bilateral visits to highlight India's regional diversity.
What are India-Slovakia diplomatic relations like?
India and Slovakia established diplomatic relations in 1993 following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The two countries have maintained steady ties with a focus on cultural, educational, and economic cooperation.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say about the Slovakia visit?
CM Samrat Choudhary said that under PM Modi's leadership, India's rich cultural heritage is gaining global recognition. He called the gifting of Thekua in Slovakia a proud moment for every Bihari and said such cultural exchanges strengthen India-Slovakia friendship.
How does India use cultural gifts in diplomacy?
Since 2014, the Indian government has institutionalised the practice of presenting state-specific cultural items — crafts, textiles, and traditional foods — during overseas bilateral visits to project India's regional diversity and strengthen people-to-people ties with partner nations.
