Snippets of Information - Crafts
PM Modi’s gifts from different states for global leaders
* 18 Jul 2026
PM Modi presented two gifts to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The first was a hockey stick signed by the entire Indian Women's Hockey Team, commemorating their win at the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup held in New Zealand. The second was a traditional Uttarakhandi Cap,
also called the Pahadi Cap, representing the Himalayan region's
cultural heritage. Modi also gifted a Zari Zardozi Wall Hanging from
Lucknow to the Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand.
* 18 Jul 2026
As part of his official visit to Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
with a selection of gifts that showcased India's rich cultural
heritage, artistic traditions and agricultural excellence. One of the
gifts, a Indian Premium Coffee Box, showcases the diversity of
coffee grown across India's major coffee-producing regions. It features
carefully selected varieties with distinct flavour profiles shaped by
differences in geography, altitude and processing techniques, including
washed, natural and honey methods.
A Madhubani Painting went to the Governor-General of Victoria, a wool embroidered stole to Anthony Albanese's spouse, and a Tribal Dhokra Boat Sculpture. A wooden hand-carved elephant went to the Leader of the Opposition, while a marble inlay work box was given to the Governor-General of Australia.
PM Modi also presented Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with a vinyl edition of the iconic Colonial Cousins album,
celebrating one of the most influential collaborations in contemporary
Indian music. Released in the 1990s, the album brought together
Hariharan and Leslie Lewis, blending Indian classical music with Western
pop, rock and acoustic influences to create a distinctive sound that
resonated with audiences across generations.
* 18 Jul 2026
Image Source: aninews.in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto with handcrafted Indian items highlighting India's heritage. The gifts included an Uttarakhand
Aipan artwork, a Kashmiri Papier-Mache bowl, a traditional repoussé
silver decorative plate, and Manohari Gold Tea from Assam. Additionally, he gifted Odisha Ikat handloom silk to the Indonesian Parliament Speaker.
Known locally as Bandha, the handloom silk textile is celebrated for
its tie-and-dye technique and vibrant patterns. Woven in centres such as
Sambalpur, Nuapatna and Bargarh, the fabric features identical designs
on both sides and distinctive curvilinear motifs, reflecting Odisha's
cultural identity.
Source: Economic Times
* 18 Jul 2026
Image source: indiatoday.in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Slovak National Council Chairman Richard Rai a box of traditional Bihari Thekua
during his Slovakia visit. Thekua is a traditional sweet snack from
Bihar, especially associated with festivals such as Chhath Puja. Made
using ingredients like wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, and ghee, the
deep-fried delicacy is known for its distinctive texture and decorative
designs pressed onto its surface.
The Slovak leader admired their appearance and said he could almost
imagine their taste. He also pointed out similarities between the two
countries' traditional treats, and mentioned that food often became a
way for cultures to connect.
Source: Slovak leader's reaction after tasting Bihari thekua gifted by PM Modi goes viral, indiatoday.in
* 19 Jan 2026
Image source: X-ANI
PM Modi gifted the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan a Royal Carved Wooden Jhula (swing) from Gujarat.
It is hand-carved with detailed floral and traditional designs, showing
skilled craftsmanship. In Gujarati culture, the jhula symbolises
togetherness, conversation and bonding across generations. The gift also
resonates deeply with the UAE's declaration of 2026 as the Year of
Family.
He also gifted a Pashmina shawl housed in an ornate silver box. Handcrafted in Kashmir from exceptionally fine wool, the Pashmina is known for its softness, lightness and warmth. The decorative silver box, made in Telangana, highlights India’s rich legacy of handloom and handicrafts.
Source: Wooden ‘jhula’, pashmina shawl in ornate silver box: A
look at PM Modi's gift to UAE president by Kanishka Singharia,
livemint.com, 19 Jan 2026
* 30 Aug 2025
Images saved to Pinterest from Times Now Digital, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, maljiarts.in, mathrubhumi.com
PM Modi's diplomatic visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana included 8
gifts from Maharashtra, 5 from Jammu & Kashmir, and 3 each from
Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, along with gifts from other Indian states,
symbolizing India’s diverse culture in 2025.
- To Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba, PM Modi gifted a vintage
moonstone ramen bowl set with silver chopsticks, designed as a blend of
Indian artistry and Japan's culinary heritage. The centerpiece, a large
brown moonstone bowl accompanied by four smaller ones, was inspired by
Japan's donburi and soba rituals. The moonstone, sourced from Andhra
Pradesh, is renowned for its glowing adularescence and symbolism of
love, balance, and protection. The base of the main bowl was crafted
from Makrana marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones in Rajasthan's
intricate parchin kari style, creating a fusion of two artistic
traditions.
- To the Japanese PM's wife, Modi gifted a handwoven Kashmiri Pashmina
shawl, celebrated worldwide for its lightness, softness, and warmth.
Crafted from the fine wool of the Changthangi goat of Ladakh, the ivory
shawl carried delicate floral and paisley motifs in rust, pink, and red,
echoing centuries-old Kashmiri artistry once favored by royalty. It was
presented in a hand-painted Papier Mache box adorned with floral and
bird designs, further highlighting the richness of Kashmir's cultural
heritage.
- A silver candle stand was given to the Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia
Meloni and a hand engraved silver fruit bowl featuring intricate
depictions of a peacock and a tree, which was gifted to the secretary
general of CARICOM.
- Silofar Panchamrit Kalash (Pot) from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, given to President of Nigeria
- Warli paintings - a tribal art form originating from the Warli tribe
primarily located in the Dahanu, Talasari and Palghar regions of
Maharashtra, given to President of Brazil and also as one of gifts in
the customized gift hamper given to leaders of CARICOM countries.
- Natural rough amethyst with silver camel head on top from Pune to Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese.
- Hand carved silver chess set with traditional design was gifted to Prime Minister of Portugal Modi Luís Montenegro.
- Silver clutch purse studded with semi-precious stones handcrafted with
intricate floral motif designs from Andhra Pradesh was gifted to the
spouse of the President of Brazil
- Papier-Mâché vases, Pashmina shawls, and Kashmiri saffron from Jammu
& Kashmir were given to leaders like the First Lady of Guyana and
the Prime Minister of the UK.
- Sohrai and Khovar paintings depicting tribal and wildlife from
Jharkhand to leaders such as Nigeria's Vice President and Indonesia's
President.
Sources: Celebrating Indian craftsmanship: PM Modi’s stunning
gifts from different states for global leaders,
timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 22 Nov 2024
From Kashmiri Pashmina To Ramen Bowl: PM Modi's Unique Gift Hamper For Japanese PM, Times Now Digital, 30 Aug 2025
- Sandalwood Sitar for French President Emmanuel Macron
Source: made by Mohit Jangid artist, maljiarts.in
* 30 Aug 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Sandalwood Buddha Statue made of
pure sandalwood from Karnataka in Kadamwood Jali Box to Japanese PM
Fumio Kishida.
Source: newsbharati.com, 20 Mar 2023
* 30 Aug 2025
Sandalwood Box gifted by PM Modi to President of US, Joe Biden
Source: made by Mohit Jangid artist, maljiarts.in
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