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Modi's Lavish Gifts to US Leaders: Silver Train, Shawls Disclosed

A U.S. State Department report has disclosed a series of high-value gifts given by Indian leaders to top American officials. The gifts include a sterling silver train set worth $7,750 from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Joe Biden. Other recipients included First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. According to protocol, all these tangible gifts were subsequently transferred to U.S. government archives or agencies.

Key Points: Indian Gifts to Biden, Harris Disclosed in US Report

  • $7,750 silver train for Biden
  • Pashmina shawl for Jill Biden
  • Gifts transferred to US archives
  • Protocol rules require disclosure
  • Gifts from Indian security officials
3 min read

Indian gifts to US leaders disclosed in State Department report

US report reveals gifts from Indian PM Modi to Biden, Harris, others, including a $7,750 silver train set, all transferred to archives.

"Non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US Government. - State Department report"

Washington, Jan 29

, A State Department report has disclosed a series of high-value gifts from Indian leaders to top US officials, including a $7,750 sterling silver train set presented to the then President Joe Biden by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later transferred to the National Archives.

The report was issued by the State Department's Office of the Chief of Protocol. It covers gifts reported to agencies for calendar year 2024. It says "minimal value is $480.00" for 2024.

For the White House, the report lists several items from PM Modi to President Biden.

One entry says Biden received a "Wood Chest, Scarf, Saffron with Jar, Wood Box for Tea" on 9/10/2023. The estimated value is $562.00. The disposition says the items were "Transferred to NARA (Chest, Scarf, Jar, and Box)." Except for perishable items like tea and saffaron all the items were transferred to the National Archives or NARA.

Another entry says Biden received a "Sterling Silver Metal Train Set" on 7/16/2024. The estimated value is $7,750.00.

The report also lists a gift from PM Modi to First Lady Jill Biden.

It says Jill Biden received a "Pashmina Shawl" on 10/21/2024. The estimated value is $2,969.00. The disposition says it was "Transferred to NARA."

The report lists an India-linked gift for the president's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan.

It says Sullivan received a "Kashmir Pashmina Scarf with Box" on 8/23/2024. The estimated value is $599.00. The disposition says it was "Transferred to GSA." The donor is listed as Ajit Doval, India's national security adviser.

The report also includes an entry for Vice President Kamala Harris.

It says Harris received a "Lord Krishna Raas Leela Silver Box" on 10/18/2024 from PM Modi. The estimated value is $1,330.00. The disposition says it was "Transferred to NARA."

A separate entry lists a gift from PM Modi to second gentleman Douglas Emhoff.

It says Emhoff received "Cufflinks" on 10/18/2024. The estimated value is $585.65. The disposition says it was "Transferred to NARA."

The report also includes an India-linked entry under the Department of Defence.

It says then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin received a "Shiva Nataraja Bronze Statue" on 11/24/2022. The estimated value is $3,700.00. The disposition says it was "Pending Transfer to GSA." The donor is listed as Rajnath Singh, India's defence minister.

The report says agencies are responsible for the information they submit. It says: "All information reported to the Office of the Chief of Protocol, including gift appraisal and donor information, is the responsibility of the employing agency."

The report says it covers "tangible gifts and gifts of travel or travel expenses." It says the compilation includes gifts above "minimal value." It also says some older gifts are listed because information arrived late.

The report published in the Federal Register on Thursday gives a standard reason for acceptance in the White House entries. It says: "Non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US Government."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand gifting is part of diplomacy, I do wish we could showcase more modern, innovative Indian gifts instead of always leaning on traditional items like shawls and statues. We have amazing tech startups and sustainable products that could make a stronger statement about New India.
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Aman W
The Lord Krishna Raas Leela silver box for VP Harris is a beautiful and culturally significant choice, given her heritage. It shows thoughtfulness. The values seem appropriate for state gifts. Nothing scandalous here, just normal international relations.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see the detailed breakdown. The report itself stating "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment" says it all. This is how diplomacy works. The gifts are elegant representations of Indian craftsmanship. The pashmina for $2969 must be exquisite!
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Karthik V
As a taxpayer, my only question is about our side. Are our leaders receiving gifts of similar value from the US? And are they being declared properly here? Transparency should be a two-way street. Otherwise, this is just routine.
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Nisha Z
The train set is a clever metaphor! Chalo, Bharat-USA friendship express! 🚂 It's good to see our artisans' work—silverware, pashmina, bronze statues—being gifted at the highest levels. It promotes our culture and handicrafts on a global stage.

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