The Indian Embassy in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, organized the ‘Great Indian Mango Festival’. In this, ambassadors, diplomats and local people tasted Indian mangoes like Alphonso, Badami and Kesar and praised them a lot.
Baku [अज़रबैजान]July 7 (ANI): The Indian Embassy in Baku hosted the ‘Great Indian Mango Festival’ on Sunday (July 5), bringing the real taste of India’s famous ‘king of fruits’ to Azerbaijan.
According to the Embassy release, the festival received an overwhelming response and was attended by a huge crowd including ambassadors of various countries and international organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, prominent personalities of the government and other organizations, representatives of the business community, media professionals, social media influencers, Indian expatriates and a large number of Azerbaijani citizens.
Even before the event began, the festival had generated a lot of excitement on social media, with its announcements and promotional content garnering a lot of interest, the release said. An enthusiastic crowd was witnessed at the Embassy throughout the evening, as guests eagerly tasted a wide range of premium Indian mangoes including the world famous Alphonso, Badami, Kesar and other popular varieties.
Ambassador laid emphasis on India-Azerbaijan relations
Welcoming the guests, India’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Abhay Kumar expressed his happiness at the overwhelming response to the Festival and described it as another important step towards strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Azerbaijan.
In his address, Ambassador Kumar said that India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, cultivating hundreds of unique varieties across the country. He said each variety reflects India’s rich geographical and agricultural diversity, while also offering distinct flavour, aroma and texture.
Expressing confidence in the future of Indian mangoes in Azerbaijan, Ambassador Kumar said that given the global popularity of mangoes, he is confident that the people of Azerbaijan will also develop an enduring appreciation for its exceptional taste and variety. He expressed hope that Indian mangoes will become a welcome addition to Azerbaijani homes, dining tables and kitchens. He also pointed out that, apart from their rich taste, mangoes are highly nutritious, being an excellent source of dietary fibre, essential vitamins and antioxidants, making them a perfect combination of taste and health.
Azerbaijani people liked the taste of Indian mangoes
The festival received an enthusiastic response from Azerbaijani visitors, many of whom tasted Indian mangoes for the first time. According to the embassy release, Asif Mammadov, who experienced Indian mangoes for the first time, described the experience as “unforgettable”. He said he was “amazed” by their rich flavor and aroma, particularly enjoying the Alphonso and Badami varieties. Calling Indian mangoes the true “king of fruits”, he remarked that no other fruit can compete with the richness of their taste and urged Azerbaijani importers and retail markets to make every possible effort to bring Indian mangoes to Azerbaijan. He also praised the traditional Indian Mango Lassi, calling it one of the most refreshing drinks he has tasted.
Many other Azerbaijani visitors expressed similar sentiments, expressing the view that Indian mangoes could become a welcome addition to Azerbaijani homes and that they are eager to see them more widely available in local supermarkets and fruit markets.
Hospitality industry also welcomed
Hospitality industry representatives, including Indian hoteliers and internationally acclaimed chefs working in Azerbaijan, also welcomed the initiative. He said hotels and restaurants often receive requests from Indian and international tourists for fresh mangoes, mango juice, mango lassi and mango-based desserts during the summer season. He said regular supplies of quality Indian mangoes will help them better meet this growing demand, as well as further enrich Azerbaijan’s culinary offerings.
Cultural productions and future prospects
The festival also featured vibrant cultural performances showcasing the rich artistic heritage of India, which added a colorful cultural dimension to the festival and cemented the strong cultural ties between India and Azerbaijan.
With the availability of direct flights between India and Azerbaijan, growing consumer interest and growing tourism between the two countries, the prospects for Indian mangoes in the Azerbaijani market look promising.
India has a large number of experienced mango exporters who successfully supply premium-quality mangoes to the markets of West Asia, Europe, North America and many other regions of the world. The Embassy expressed confidence that with increased awareness and business participation, Indian mangoes have the potential to establish a strong presence in Azerbaijan as well. (ANI)
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