Inside PM Modi’s gift diplomacy: 11 thoughtful presents from his five nation tour

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent five-nation diplomatic tour, he presented the diplomatic leaders a diverse range of gifts showcasing India’s cultural diversity. From Melody chocolate and GI-tagged food products to heritage textiles, folk art, and handcrafted keepsakes, each gift carried a story from a different part of India. Besides the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, PM Modi also did gift exchanges with leaders at the India-Nordic Summit. (Images: X/DD news, PM Modi)

PM Modi gifted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni an unusual present that broke the internet. The political leader brought a packet of iconic "Melody" chocolates, igniting nostalgia among many Indians.

For Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi also chose heritage textiles from India’s Northeast, including Assam’s prized Muga silk and a stole inspired by Manipur’s rare Shirui Lily flower.

Italy’s President received a handcrafted marble inlay box inspired by Agra’s famed pietra dura craftsmanship, along with recordings celebrating India’s classical musical heritage.

To spotlight India’s food diversity and sustainability push, PM Modi gifted FAO chief Qu Dongyu a curated basket of GI-tagged grains and millet products, celebrating traditional nutrition and agricultural heritage.

PM Modi’s gifts for Dutch leaders spotlighted India’s artistic heritage — King Willem-Alexander received Jaipur’s iconic GI-tagged blue pottery, Queen Máxima was gifted intricate meenakari-kundan earrings, while Dutch PM Rob Jetten received a GI-tagged Madhubani painting featuring a fish motif, a symbol of harmony, abundance, and ecological balance in the folk art tradition.

India’s gifts to Norwegian leaders celebrated biodiversity and traditional craftsmanship, featuring pressed orchid artwork, floral keepsakes, Kalamkari art, and a palm-leaf Pattachitra creation.

Another part of PM Modi’s gift for Ulf Kristersson celebrated India’s literary and craft legacy, featuring Rabindranath Tagore’s works alongside a handcrafted Shantiniketan leather bag.

For Sweden’s Prime Minister, PM Modi chose gifts that highlighted India’s artisanal and regional heritage, including Manipur’s Loktak tea and a traditional Ladakh Pashmina stole.

PM Modi’s gift for Sweden’s Prime Minister brought together India’s literary, artisanal, and regional heritage, featuring Rabindranath Tagore’s works, a handcrafted Shantiniketan leather bag, Manipur’s Loktak tea, and a traditional Ladakh Pashmina stole.

The President of Iceland received a vibrant Madhubani painting, one of India’s most celebrated folk art traditions from Bihar, known for its intricate motifs, vivid colours, and storytelling legacy.

PM Modi presented Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen with Tenzing Norgay’s iconic ice axe, a powerful symbol of courage, adventure, and India’s enduring connection to mountaineering history.

For the UAE Queen Mother, PM Modi curated a thoughtful trio: Manipur’s aromatic Chak Hao black rice, a Karimnagar filigree box showcasing intricate silver nakkashi craftsmanship, and elegant Maheshwari silk fabric from Madhya Pradesh. He also gifted a ceremonial dagger with intricate Koftgari Work to UAE Crown Prince. He also gifted GI-tagged Kesar Mangoes of Gujarat to UAE President , Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Meghalaya's GI-tagged Pineapples to UAE President , Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.