NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his 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 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 stole
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.
Often described as one of the strongest natural fibres, it is prized for its longevity and lustre, which deepens over time, reflecting India’s sustainable textile traditions.
Shirui Lily stole
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.
The motif also carries resonance in European artistic traditions, including Italy's Renaissance heritage, where the lily is associated with grace and refinement.
Marble inlay box
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. Interestingly, the art form traces its origins to Florence in Italy before flourishing in India under Mughal patronage, symbolising a shared artistic legacy between the two countries.
The inclusion of recordings of Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbulakshmi highlighted India’s rich musical heritage, showcasing Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions to Italy's top leadership.
India's finest grains
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.
These indigenous varieties highlight India’s agro-biodiversity, ranging from aromatic short-grain rice to nutrient-rich traditional strains, many of which are adapted to local climates and valued for their nutritional and cultural significance.
Millet bars
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.
Millets such as jowar and bajra, widely grown in Maharashtra's semi-arid regions like Solapur and Marathwada, are rich in fibre, protein and essential minerals. In processed form as snack bars, they represent the fusion of India's ancient agricultural practices with modern nutrition and convenience.
Shantiniketan messenger bag, Tagore works and Loktak Tea
PM Modi gifted a handcrafted Shantiniketan messenger bag and a selection of works by Rabindranath Tagore to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The Shantiniketan bag reflects the artistic legacy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of the 'Abode of Peace', where traditional folk motifs were blended with a modern global aesthetic to create a unique cultural identity rooted in Bengal’s rural craft traditions.
He also presented Loktak Tea from Manipur, an artisanal, small-batch tea grown in the ecologically rich landscape surrounding Loktak Lake. Cultivated in community-led, chemical-free gardens, the tea reflects the region’s biodiversity and indigenous farming practices that are closely tied to the unique ecosystem of Northeast India.
Ladakh pure wool
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.
The stole is hand-spun and woven by local artisans using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Its production relies on natural processes and local skills, making it a symbol of sustainable craftsmanship and the enduring cultural heritage of the Himalayan region.
Kalamkari, Pattachitra and Himalayan orchid art
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.
The artwork symbolises cosmic balance, where the Sun reflects energy and consciousness, while the Moon represents calm and intuition.
Queen Sonja of Norway received a Palm Leaf Pattachitra, one of Odisha’s oldest art forms, where intricate narratives are engraved on palm leaves with exceptional precision.
Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was gifted pressed orchid paintings and orchid paperweights made from flowers and ferns of Sikkim, reflecting the Himalayan region’s biodiversity, sustainability ethos and ecological craftsmanship.
Kamal Talai Pichwai painting, Bidri silver work vase and Gond painting
PM Modi gifted Kamal Talai Pichwai painting to Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, 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.
He also presented Bidri silver work vase to Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, showcasing Deccan metal craftsmanship and a replica of Tenzing Norgay’s ice axe to Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, symbolising endurance and exploration.
Traditional Indian produce including Kesar mangoes and Meghalaya pineapples were also gifted to the UAE President, highlighting GI-tagged agricultural heritage and India’s diverse agro-climatic richness.
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.
Madhubani painting, Blue Pottery and Meenakari-Kundan earrings
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.
Traditionally practised 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 Blue Pottery from Jaipur to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, a GI-tagged craft known for its distinctive cobalt blue, white and yellow designs made from quartz powder, glass and Fuller’s earth, which gives it a signature translucent finish.
Queen Máxima was presented Meenakari and Kundan earrings from Rajasthan.
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