Editor-DN
The eco-friendly, lab-grown diamond was gifted by Modi during a private dinner at the White House in June 2023. President Joe Biden. At the exchange rate at the time, the diamond was worth approx. ₹16 lakhs
Apart from the diamond, Modi also presented Biden with several other items: a carved sandalwood box, a book titled Ten Principal Upanishadsa statue, and an oil lamp, with a total estimated value of $6,232 (₹5,34,433).
While President Biden’s gifts were transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Jill Biden’s diamond was kept “for official use in the East Wing,” according to the State Department’s annual accounting.
Created in Surat, Gujarat using advanced technology that mimics the natural process of diamond formation, the diamond symbolized 75 years of India’s independence.
Earlier in November 2022, Modi gifted a painting worth $1,000 to Biden.₹85,755), according to State Department records.
Modi’s gifts to others during his time in the US included $850 (₹72,893) “wall hanging” for Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, and $125 (₹10,719) “camel bone box” for US Senator Charles Schumer.
Jill Biden’s second most expensive gift came from Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, who gifted a “Steel Fragment Forget Me Not Flower Brooch” worth $14,063.₹12,05,979).
Meanwhile, President Biden received several expensive gifts, including $7,100 (₹6,08,881) commemorative photo album of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul and $3,495 (₹2,99,726) Statue of Prime Minister of Mongolia.
Under federal law, officials must declare gifts worth more than $480 (₹41,163) from foreign leaders. The report also stated that several CIA employees received luxury gifts such as watches and jewelry, but most of them were destroyed. For example, CIA Director William Burns received $18,000.₹15,43,653) astrograph, but reported a loss of $11,000.₹9,43,344) Omega Watch.
While the gift may be extravagant, Jill Biden’s diamond is likely to remain a significant symbol of India’s diplomatic ties with the United States.
