The recent state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States has garnered significant media attention, particularly regarding a notable gift presented to First Lady Jill Biden—a diamond valued at an impressive $20,000. This 7.5-carat green lab-grown diamond, celebrated for its environmentally friendly attributes, possesses the same chemical and optical characteristics as traditional earth-mined diamonds, thus representing a thoughtful and sustainable offering.The diamond was elegantly encased in a beautifully crafted kar-e-kalamdani box made from paper pulp, distinguishing it as the most valuable among the array of luxurious gifts received by Jill Biden in 2023.
According to U.S. regulations, officials within the executive branch, including the President and First Lady, must disclose any gifts exceeding $480 in worth. The $20,000 diamond has been designated for official use at the White House East Wing, while the other gifts have been archived. The Chief of Protocol’s report indicated that Jill Biden also received a brooch valued at over $14,000 from the Ukrainian ambassador, in addition to a $4,500 photograph album, a bracelet, and another brooch from the President and First Lady of Egypt. During Modi’s state visit, he also gifted President Joe Biden a handcrafted sandalwood box containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha, along with a first-edition print of The Ten Principal Upanishads.
