Muga silk stole for Meloni, mangoes for UAE President & more: What PM Modi gifted leaders during 5-nation tour | India News
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded a five-nation tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, during which he presented a range of culturally significant gifts to world leaders highlighting India’s traditional crafts, agricultural diversity and musical heritage.PM Modi gifted his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni with two handpicked silks, a Muga silk stole and a Shirui Lily silk stolen during her recent visit to Rome.
Muga silk stolen
Muga silk, known as the ‘Golden Silk’ of Assam, is a rare handwoven textile from the Brahmaputra Valley, valued for its natural golden hue, durability and eco-friendly production without artificial dyes.
Often described as one of the strongest natural fibers, it is prized for its longevity and luster, which deepens over time, reflecting India’s enduring textile heritage.
Shirui stole the lily
The Shirui Lily silk churi takes its inspiration from the rare Shirui Lily found in the Shirui Kashang Peaks of Manipur. The flower, which blooms only in this region, is seen as a symbol of purity and cultural identity for the Tangkhul Naga community.
The motif also carries resonances of European artistic traditions, including the Renaissance tradition of Italy, where the lily is associated with grace and refinement.
Marble inlay box
Prime Minister Modi presented Italian President Sergio Mattarella with a marble inlay work box along with CDs by Indian classical maestro Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbulakshmi.The marble inlay box reflects the intricate craftsmanship of Agra artisans using the traditional pacchikari (pietra dura) technique. Interestingly, the art form found its origins in Florence, Italy before flourishing in India under Mughal patronage, symbolizing a shared artistic heritage between the two countries.
The inclusion of recordings by Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbalakshmi showcases India’s rich musical heritage, showcasing Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions to top Italian leadership.
India’s best grain
Prime Minister Modi also presented a curated selection of India’s best crops to the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr Ku Dongyu.The basket included red rice (Matta/Palakkadan Matta) from the Palakkad region of Kerala, Govindbhog rice from West Bengal, Basmati rice from the Indo-Gangetic plains, Joha rice from the Brahmaputra valley in Assam, and Kalanamak rice from Uttar Pradesh, often referred to as ‘Tei’rai’ as its historical region.
These landraces highlight India’s agro-biodiversity, from aromatic short-grain rice to nutrient-rich traditional strains, many of which have adapted to local climates and are valued for their nutritional and cultural significance.
millet bars
Besides the traditional grain, PM Modi also gifted healthy millet bars to Dr Ku Dongyu, reflecting India’s push to popularize millet as a climate-resilient superfood.
Millets like sorghum and bajra grown widely in semi-arid regions of Maharashtra like Solapur and Marathwada are rich in fiber, protein and essential minerals. In processed form as snack bars, they represent a fusion of India’s ancient farming methods with modern nutrition and convenience.
Santiniketan messenger bags, Tagore work and Loktak tea
PM Modi gifted Swedish Prime Minister Wolf Kristerson a handmade Santiniketan messenger bag and some works of Rabindranath Tagore.
The Santiniketan bag reflects the artistic legacy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘abode of peace’ philosophy, where traditional folk motifs were blended with modern global aesthetics to create a unique cultural identity rooted in Bengal’s rural craft traditions.
He also introduced Manipur’s Loktak Tea, an artisanal, small-batch tea grown in the ecologically rich landscape surrounding Loktak Lake. The tea grown in community-led, chemical-free gardens reflects the region’s biodiversity and indigenous farming that is closely tied to the unique ecosystem of Northeast India.
Ladakh pure wool
Prime Minister Modi presented a Ladakh pure wool stole, also known as Pashmina, to the Swedish Prime Minister as part of the cultural exchange. Originating from the high-altitude Changthang Plateau, the wool originates from the Changthangi goat, which survives in the extreme conditions of the Himalayas and produces a fine under-fleece prized for its softness and warmth.
The churi is hand spun and woven by local artisans using traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. Its production relies on natural processes and local expertise, making it a symbol of sustainable craftsmanship and the enduring cultural heritage of the Himalayan region.
Kalamkari, Pattachitra and Himalayan Orchid Art
Prime Minister Modi presented Crown Prince Haakon of Norway with a kalamkari painting with sun and moon motifs, representing an ancient textile art form of Andhra Pradesh known for its hand-painted natural color techniques.
The artwork symbolizes cosmic balance, with the sun reflecting energy and consciousness, while the moon represents calm and insight.Queen Sonja of Norway received a palm leaf painting, one of Odisha’s oldest forms of art, in which intricate narratives are carved into palm leaves with exceptional precision.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store was presented with pressed orchid paintings and orchid paperweights made from flowers and ferns of Sikkim, reflecting the biodiversity, sustainable principles and ecological craftsmanship of the Himalayan region.
Kamal Talai Pichwai Painting, Bidri Silver Work Vase and Gond Painting
Prime Minister Modi presented the Kamal Talai Pichwai painting to Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, reflecting the artistic theme of tranquility, water and harmony with nature. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a Rogan painting with the Tree of Life motif, a symbol of interconnectedness, renewal and continuity through Gujarat’s rare textile heritage.
He also presented Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen with a Bidri silverwork vase, showcasing Deccan metalwork, and Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir with a replica of Tenzing Norgay’s ice axe, a symbol of endurance and exploration.
Traditional Indian products including saffron mango and Meghalaya pineapple were also gifted to the UAE President, highlighting the GI-tagged agricultural heritage and India’s diverse agro-climatic richness.
PM Modi also gifted a Gond painting and the book Beneficial Action: Continuity for Change to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, while a ceremonial Koftgari dagger from Rajasthan was gifted to the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates.
Madhubani paintings, indigo pottery and Meenakari-Kundan earrings
PM Modi presented a Madhubani painting with a fish motif to Dutch Prime Minister Rob Zetten, highlighting the GI-tagged folk art tradition of the Mithila region known for its intricate geometric patterns, vibrant colors and deep cultural roots.
Traditionally practiced by women, Madhubani art draws inspiration from mythology, nature and everyday life, often featuring motifs such as fish, birds, flowers and deities.He also gifted King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands from Jaipur the Blue Pea, a GI-tagged craft known for its distinctive cobalt blue, white and yellow design made from quartz powder, glass and fuller’s earth, which gives it a translucent finish.
Meenakari and Kundan earrings were presented to Queen Maxima from Rajasthan.
