Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently uses the rich tapestry of Bharat’s traditional arts and crafts as diplomatic gifts for foreign dignitaries and heads of state. These thoughtfully chosen artefacts, ranging from exquisite Kashmiri silk carpets and Odisha’s intricate silver filigree work to Bihar’s brass Bodhi tree sculptures and Rajasthan’s ebony wood jali boxes, serve as more than just presents. They are powerful symbols of India’s diverse cultural heritage, showcasing centuries of unparalleled craftsmanship and artistic traditions from every corner of the nation, thereby fostering cultural understanding and strengthening bilateral ties on the global stage.
This report highlights 21 such traditional gifts that Prime Minister Modi has presented to world leaders from various Bhartiya states as part of his cultural diplomacy between 2022 and 2025. These meticulously chosen artefacts showcase the diverse artistic traditions and exceptional skills of Bhartiya artisans, serving as powerful emblems of Bharat’s ancient legacy on the global stage.
PM Modi gifts Odisha’s Pattachitra painting to Croatian president
On June 18, 2025, during his historic visit to Croatia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a traditional Pattachitra painting from Odisha to Croatian President H.E. Zoran Milanović. This intricate and vibrant artwork, celebrated for its rich storytelling depicted on cloth, beautifully showcased Bharat’s profound cultural heritage. The thoughtful gesture further strengthened diplomatic goodwill between the two nations through the universal language of art.
PM Modi gifts Konark Wheel replica from Odisha to German Chancellor
While visiting Canada for the G7 Summit on June 19, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented German Chancellor Friedrich Merz with a beautifully crafted sandstone replica of the Konark Wheel. This remarkable piece, originating from Odisha, draws its inspiration from the iconic Sun Temple at Konark. It serves as a powerful symbol of Bharat’s rich cultural legacy and timeless craftsmanship, underscoring the nation’s artistic prowess on the global stage.
PM Modi gifts Chhattisgarh’s Dokra art to South African president
While in Canada for the G7 Summit on June 19, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a handcrafted Brass Dokra Horse from Chhattisgarh. This unique piece, meticulously created by tribal artisans using the ancient lost-wax metal casting technique, beautifully blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Each Dokra artwork is truly one-of-a-kind, serving as a powerful testament to Bharat’s rich indigenous artistic heritage and centuries-old metallurgical skills.
PM Modi gifts Madhubani art from Bihar to South Korean president
On June 19, 2025, at the G7 Summit in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted South Korean President Lee Jae-myung a traditional Madhubani Painting from Bihar. Also known as Mithila Art, this vibrant folk painting style is traditionally practised by women and passed down through generations. Historically adorning mud walls during festivals and weddings to invoke blessings, Madhubani art is now celebrated worldwide for its intricate patterns, symbolic storytelling, and embodiment of Bharat’s living cultural traditions.
PM Modi gifts Brass Bodhi Tree from Bihar to Canadian prime minister
On June 19, 2025, during his visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with a handcrafted Brass Bodhi Tree sculpture from Bihar. This elegant artwork symbolises the sacred tree under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, reflecting both spiritual depth and artistic excellence. Crafted by skilled local artisans, its intricately detailed leaves and branches embody Bharat’s timeless traditions and exceptional craftsmanship.
PM Modi gifts silver candle stand from Rajasthan to Croatian Prime Minister
Also on June 19, 2025, at the G7 Summit in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a handcrafted silver candle stand from Rajasthan to Andrej Plenković, the Prime Minister of Croatia. This exquisite piece highlights India’s rich tradition of metal artistry. Made by skilled artisans, the candle stands feature intricate floral and geometric engravings – a hallmark of Rajasthan’s famed silverwork. Inspired by the architecture of royal palaces and temples, especially from cities like Udaipur and Jaipur, this piece reflects a timeless blend of elegance, heritage, and craftsmanship that perfectly defines Bharat’s cultural diplomacy.
PM Modi gifts Kashmiri silk carpet to Cyprus president, Andhra-made silver clutch to First Lady
On June 16, 2025, during his visit to Cyprus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a Kashmiri silk carpet from J&K to President Nikos Christodoulides. The exquisite deep red carpet, with its striking brown and red borders, exemplifies the region’s unparalleled craftsmanship.
PM Modi also thoughtfully gifted a Silver Clutch Purse from Andhra Pradesh to Philippa Karsera, the First Lady of Cyprus. This unique purse beautifully combines traditional metalwork with modern style. Crafted using the intricate repoussé technique, it features detailed floral designs inspired by centuries of temple and royal art, highlighting Bharat’s diverse artistic heritage.
PM Modi gifts Sangam water to Mauritius president, Uttar Pradesh Banarasi saree to his wife
During his two-day State Visit to Mauritius on March 11, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a deeply symbolic gift of sacred water from the Mahakumbh to President Dharam Gokhool. This gesture underscores India’s spiritual traditions and the profound significance of the Sangam.
Further extending India’s cultural warmth, PM Modi gifted a magnificent Banarasi saree from Uttar Pradesh to President Gokhool’s wife. Renowned for their opulent silk, intricate zari work, and timeless designs, Banarasi sarees represent one of Bharat’s most cherished textile arts. During his visit, PM Modi also met with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and together they planted a sapling at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, symbolising the growing bilateral ties.
PM Modi gifts Chhattisgarh’s Dokra artwork to French President Macron
During his two-day visit to France on February 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented French President Emmanuel Macron with a distinctive Dokra artwork from Chhattisgarh. Dokra art is a renowned metal-casting tradition, celebrated for its intricate designs and ancient lost-wax technique. For First Lady Brigitte Macron, PM Modi gifted an intricately designed silver table mirror from Rajasthan, a luxurious piece reflecting the state’s exquisite metal artistry.
PM Modi gifts Uttar Pradesh handicrafts to Thailand’s king
On April 4, 2025, during his state visit to Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a brass statue of the Sarnath Buddha in Dhyan Mudra to Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. This serene sculpture symbolises peace and enlightenment. To Thailand’s Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, PM Modi gifted a beautiful brocade silk shawl from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, renowned for its opulent weaves and intricate designs.
PM Modi gifts Rajasthani statue of Maharana Pratap’s Chetak to Crown Prince of Dubai
On April 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at his residence in New Delhi. During their meeting, PM Modi presented a striking statue of Maharana Pratap’s legendary horse ‘Chetak’ from Rajasthan. The prime minister personally explained how Chetak heroically saved Maharana Pratap’s life by sacrificing its own on the battlefield, highlighting a timeless tale of loyalty and bravery.
PM Modi gifts Rajasthani Royal Carriage to Guyana PM and Madhubani painting to president
During the G20 Summit on November 22, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a magnificent wooden Raj Sawari statue with gold work from Rajasthan to Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips. This intricate piece showcases the grandeur of India’s royal heritage. At the same event, PM Modi also gifted a vibrant Madhubani painting from Bihar to Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana, celebrating the rich folk-art tradition of the region.
PM Modi gifts Maharashtra’s traditional metal work to Nigerian president
On November 18, 2024, during his visit to Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a distinctive Silofar Panchamrit Kalash (Pot). This exquisite piece, originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is a testament to the region’s rich artisanal heritage and sophisticated metalworking traditions, reflecting centuries of craftsmanship.
PM Modi presents Maharashtra’s Warli tribal art to Brazil’s president
During his three-nation tour in November 2024, at the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Warli paintings as a gift to Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. These unique artworks, crafted by talented artists from the Dahanu, Talasari, and Palghar tribal regions of Maharashtra, showcase the vibrant and ancient tribal art forms that are an integral part of India’s diverse cultural landscape.
PM Modi gifts Maharashtra silver ‘Delhi-Delaware’ train to Biden
During the Quad Leaders’ Summit on September 22, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted US President Joe Biden an extraordinary antique silver hand-engraved train model from Maharashtra. This rare and masterfully crafted piece exemplifies the pinnacle of Bhartiya metalworking artistry, serving as a unique symbol of bilateral relations and shared history between the two nations.
PM Modi gifts Jharkhand’s Sohrai painting to Putin
On October 27, 2024, during the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a vibrant Sohrai painting from Jharkhand. This unique artwork is a testament to the rich folk-art traditions of the region. More than just an aesthetic expression, Sohrai paintings carry deep cultural significance, beautifully representing Bharat’s indigenous artistic heritage on the global stage.
PM Modi gifts Maharashtra handicrafts to Iran president
At the BRICS summit on October 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a stunning Mother of Pearl (MOP) sea-shell vase from Maharashtra to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. Officials noted that this exquisite vase, sourced from Maharashtra’s coastal artisans, is a testament to the state’s skilled craftsmanship and inherent natural beauty, showcasing Bharat’s rich artisanal legacy.
PM Modi presents Maharashtra’s traditional Warli painting to Uzbekistan president
On October 27, 2024, during the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with a traditional Warli painting, a revered art form from Maharashtra’s Warli tribe. Officials highlighted the painting’s immense cultural significance, tracing its origins back nearly 5,000 years. Today, this distinctive style, known for its minimalistic beauty, is celebrated worldwide, showcasing Bharat’s ancient tribal art traditions.
PM Modi gifts ‘Surahi’ from Telangana to South African president
During his three-day visit to South Africa on August 25, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a pair of Bidri ‘Surahi’ from Telangana to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Officials noted that this ‘bidri vase’ is a purely Indian innovation, exclusive to Bidar (a city historically associated with this art, now in Karnataka, though the gift is noted as being from Telangana in the prompt). Crafted from an alloy of zinc, copper, and other non-ferrous metals, these pieces feature exquisite patterns engraved and inlaid with pure silver wire, showcasing a unique blend of metallurgy and artistry.
PM Modi gifts Madhya Pradesh Gond painting to president of Brazil
During the 2023 BRICS Summit on August 25, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a vibrant Gond painting from Madhya Pradesh to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Gond paintings are recognised as one of India’s most admired tribal art forms. These unique paintings, created by an intricate system of dots and lines, have traditionally adorned the walls and floors of the Gond community, reflecting their rich pictorial art heritage.
PM Modi gifts platinum-plated hand-painted Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr tea Set to UK PM Boris Johnson
On January 28, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a beautifully crafted tea set from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Gifted during the 2022 G7 Summit in Germany, this exquisite tea set was hand-painted and meticulously outlined in platinum, specifically in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. This gift showcased Bharat’s fine artisanal skills and thoughtful cultural diplomacy.
Prime Minister Modi’s consistent practice of gifting traditional Indian art pieces during his foreign visits serves as a powerful testament to India’s rich cultural heritage and diplomatic prowess. Each thoughtfully selected artefact, from intricate textiles to exquisite metalwork, acts as a cultural ambassador, showcasing the nation’s diverse artistic traditions and the unparalleled skill of its artisans. This unique approach not only strengthens bilateral ties and fosters goodwill but also beautifully projects India’s soft power on the global stage, turning every gift into a memorable symbol of friendship and shared cultural appreciation.
