'He asked how my Indian cooking was progressing': Scott Morrison after meeting PM Modi

In a Facebook post after the meeting, Morrison reflected on their discussions about the Australia-India partnership, the Indo-Pacific and the Quad, before ending on a lighter note about his culinary adventures.

'He did ask about how my Indian cooking was progressing'

Sharing a photograph with Modi, Morrison wrote: "Thanks to PM Narendra Modi for the invitation to catch up in Melbourne today. Was great to see him again and to reflect on what we were able to achieve together to elevate the Australian India relationship to its highest ever level, spanning the economy, trade, security and defence."

"Was also good to swap notes on the Indo-Pacific and our shared passion for the Quad where we served together as foundation members of the Leaders Dialogue. I wish him all the very best for his visit.

"And yes, he did ask about how my Indian cooking was progressing."

Morrison's love for Indian cuisine

Morrison has long been known for his fondness for Indian food and has frequently shared photographs and videos of himself preparing Indian dishes at home. His culinary experiments have often drawn attention in both Australia and India.

One of his most popular creations came in 2020, when he prepared homemade vegetarian samosas with mango chutney and jokingly called them "ScoMosas", saying he wished he could serve them to Modi during their virtual summit.

He has also spoken about trying his hand at khichdi, a dish he said he planned to cook following an Australia-India virtual summit.

From Kerala curries to chicken korma

For a Diwali celebration in 2021, Morrison cooked a spread of Indian dishes, including Kerala-style prawn curry in coconut gravy, chicken curry and saag, showcasing his interest in India's diverse regional cuisine.

In 2022, he posted a picture of a meal featuring chicken korma, accompanied by Sri Lankan tamarind eggplant and okra curry, with the caption: "Strong Curry. Strong Economy. Stronger Future."

The photograph sparked widespread discussion on social media, with several users claiming the chicken appeared undercooked. Morrison later dismissed the criticism, saying the chicken had been cooked for about 45 minutes and that the lighting in the photograph made it appear pink.

Cuisine as cultural diplomacy

Throughout his tenure as prime minister, Morrison frequently highlighted Indian cuisine during Diwali celebrations and public engagements, reflecting Australia's close ties with its Indian diaspora and his government's efforts to strengthen Australia-India relations.

His latest exchange with Modi suggests that his enthusiasm for Indian cooking remains a memorable aspect of the personal rapport the two leaders developed during their time in office.