Threads of Heritage: PM Modi’s Cultural Gifts to Italy

From Manipuri silk to millet bars, India’s traditions weave into diplomacy

During his recent visit to Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased India’s rich cultural heritage through a carefully curated selection of gifts that went beyond ceremonial exchange. Each item reflected the country’s diverse traditions, craftsmanship, and evolving identity, turning diplomacy into a celebration of culture.

For Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Modi presented a Shirui Lily silk stole from Manipur. Inspired by the rare bell-shaped flower that blooms only in Ukhrul district, the stole embodied the elegance of Northeast India’s weaving traditions. The lily’s symbolism of purity and grace also resonates deeply in Italian culture, often depicted in Renaissance art, creating a unique cultural connection between the two nations. Alongside this, Meloni received a Muga silk stole from Assam, known as the “Golden Silk” for its natural sheen and remarkable durability, a textile that can last generations.

Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella was gifted a marble inlay work box, paired with CDs of legendary classical musicians Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbulakshmi. The intricate artistry of Pacchikari, or Pietra Dura, reflects India’s centuries-old craftsmanship seen in monuments like the Taj Mahal. Interestingly, this art form traces its origins to Florence, Italy, before flourishing under Indian royal patronage, making the gift a symbolic bridge between shared traditions.

Meanwhile, Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, received millet bars, representing India’s push for sustainable and nutritious food practices. Rooted in Maharashtra’s agricultural legacy, millets are climate-resilient supergrains that India has been championing globally as part of its food security and sustainability agenda.

Together, these gifts highlighted India’s soft power diplomacy—where textiles, music, craftsmanship, and food become instruments of cultural dialogue. By weaving stories of heritage into international relations, India underscored that diplomacy today is not only about policy but also about the traditions and identities nations choose to share with the world.