Japanese delegation stops at Lucknow’s famous tea stall, enjoys kulhad chai and samosas – watch here

Big diplomatic visits usually make news for official statements and closed door meetings. But during a recent visit to Lucknow, a quiet moment outside the formal schedule ended up drawing far more attention. A Japanese delegation, in the city for talks with the Uttar Pradesh government, was seen spending time at a local tea stall. The short visit soon gained traction online and added a human touch to the official trip.The delegation from Japan was led by Junichi Ishidera, Deputy Governor of Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture. The team met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Wednesday.Once the official discussions were over, the delegation stepped out to see a different side of the city. They visited the well known Sharma Tea stall, a popular stop for locals in Lucknow.The visitors were seen having kulhad chai and samosas. A video of this visit was shared by the news agency ANI and soon caught the attention of social media users. Many people reacted to the simple setting and the relaxed nature of the visit.Sharma Tea stall is often linked with Lucknow’s everyday culture. It is a familiar place for residents and visitors. Seeing an international delegation there made the moment stand out and sparked conversations online about cultural exchange through food.The tea stall visit reminded many people of a recent experience shared by Japan’s ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi. While in Delhi, the ambassador posted a video of himself learning how to eat biryani by hand.Sharing the experience, he wrote, “Tried eating biryani by hand – following my Indian friends.”The video showed a person explaining the traditional way of eating biryani. The ambassador listens carefully, follows the steps, and nods as he understands.Thumb image: ANI