​Silk, Pashmina, mangoes & more: Inside PM Modi’s gift diplomacy on 5-nation tour​

PM Modi had gifted his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni with two handpicked silk stoles a Muga silk stole and a Shirui Lily silk stole during his recently visit to Rome. Muga silk, known as Assam’s 'Golden Silk', is a rare handwoven textile from the Brahmaputra Valley, valued for its natural golden hue, durability and eco-friendly production without artificial dyes. (ANI)

The Shirui Lily silk stole draws inspiration from the rare Shirui Lily found at Manipur's Shirui Kashong Peak. The flower, which blooms only in this region, is seen as a symbol of purity and cultural identity for the Tangkhul Naga community. (ANI)

​PM Modi had gifted Italian President Sergio Mattarella with a Marble Inlay Work Box along with CDs of Indian classical maestros Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbulakshmi.
The marble inlay box reflects the intricate craftsmanship of Agra's artisans using the traditional Pacchikari (Pietra Dura) technique. (ANI)

PM Modi gifted a handcrafted Shantiniketan messenger bag and a selection of works by Rabindranath Tagore to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. (ANI)

PM Modi also gifted 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 is derived from the Changthangi goat, which survives extreme Himalayan conditions and produces a fine under-fleece prized for its softness and warmth. (ANI)

PM Modi also presented a curated selection of India's finest grains to Dr Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

The basket included Red Rice (Matta/Palakkadan Matta) from Kerala's Palakkad region, Gobindobhog rice from West Bengal, Basmati rice from the Indo-Gangetic plains, Joha rice from Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley and Kalanamak rice from Uttar Pradesh, often called 'Buddha Rice' for its historical association with the Terai region. (ANI)

Alongside traditional grains, PM Modi also gifted healthy millet bars to Dr Qu Dongyu, reflecting India's push to popularise millets as climate-resilient superfoods. (ANI)

PM Modi gifted a Kalamkari painting with Sun and Moon motifs to Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, representing an ancient textile art form from Andhra Pradesh known for its hand-painted natural dye techniques. (ANI)

Kamal Talai Pichwai painting, reflecting artistic themes of serenity, water and harmony with nature. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a Rogan painting with the Tree of Life motif, symbolising interconnectedness, renewal and continuity through Gujarat’s rare textile tradition. (ANI)

The Replica of the Ice Axe pays tribute to the legendary tool carried by Tenzing Norgay during the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 with Sir Edmund Hillary. Crafted in steel with a polished wooden shaft, the replica reflects the simplicity, resilience, and precision essential to high-altitude mountaineering. (ANI)

PM Modi gifted a Bidri Silver Work Vase to Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
The Bidri Silver Work Vase reflects the refined artistry of the Deccan, celebrated for its intricate silver inlay, elegant form, and meticulous craftsmanship, it embodies a tradition perfected over generations by artisans of Hyderabad and the Deccan plateau. (ANI)

PM Modi gifted a handcrafted Shantiniketan messenger bag and a selection of works by Rabindranath Tagore to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. (ANI)

Traditional Indian produce including Kesar mangoes were also gifted to the UAE President, highlighting GI-tagged agricultural heritage and India’s diverse agro-climatic richness. (ANI)

PM Modi further gifted Gond paintings and the book Convenient Action: Continuity for Change to Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, while a ceremonial Koftgari dagger from Rajasthan was presented to the Crown Prince of the UAE. (ANI)

PM Modi gifted a Madhubani painting with a fish motif to Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, highlighting the GI-tagged folk art tradition from the Mithila region known for its intricate geometric patterns, vibrant colours and deep cultural roots. (ANI)

The Bidri Silver Work Vase reflects the refined artistry of the Deccan, celebrated for its intricate silver inlay, elegant form, and meticulous craftsmanship. Adorned with delicate floral and geometric motifs, it embodies a tradition perfected over generations by artisans of Hyderabad and the Deccan plateau. (ANI)