By Paras Ramoutar
Port-of-Spain, Nov 21 (IANS) Buss-up-shut, a type of paratha, along with other local curries washed down with coconut water will be on the menu of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he arrives in this Trinidad and Tobago capital for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Nov 27-29.

Orvin Sanes, director of food and beverage at the downtown Crowne Plaza, said that local talent would be on show to prepare Manmohan Singh’s menu.

Sanes said: “To be honest, I think the delegates are very excited about local food. We are getting a lot of requests for roti, roti, roti. This request keeps coming up. They are not only excited about CHOGM 2009 but just to experience Trini culture,”

Coconut water is high on the list as well for Manmohan Singh who will visit this nation of 1.3 million people where the Indian diaspora forms 44 percent of the population.

There is excitement in the country over hosting some 51 world leaders, a first for Trinidad and Tobago.

Scores of welcome signs have come up on the road from the Piarco International Airport to the capital city. Queen Elizabeth II will arrive here Nov 26 and will formally open the meeting at the $80 million National Centre for the Performing Arts Nov 27.

Trinidad Minister of Trade and Industry Mariano Browne said that the projected cost of the summit hovers around US$40 million.

(Paras Ramoutar can be contacted at paras.r@ians.in)