A Manipuri silk stole and more: Inside PM Modi's gifts to Italy's Meloni

At diplomatic meetings in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented gifts rooted in India's regional crafts and traditions. The selection highlighted India's cultural diversity and soft power through textiles, music, craftsmanship and food.

This time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic visit to Italy had more than diplomatic conversations and policy discussions. Through a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts (the Melody-Meloni being a hit), he presented stories of its craftsmanship, cultural heritage and regional traditions to the global stage.

Each gift carried a distinct piece of India’s cultural identity — from the handloom traditions of Manipur and the timeless artistry of marble inlay work to Maharashtra’s deep-rooted millet legacy.

For Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi chose a Shirui Lily silk stole, a gift that brought a slice of Manipur to the global stage. Inspired by the rare Shirui Lily flower, a bell-shaped flower, that blooms only in the Ukhrul district, Shirui Kashong Peak in Manipur, the stole reflected the rich weaving traditions of the state. Delicate, elegant and deeply rooted in the Northeast’s textile heritage, the gift quietly spotlighted indigenous traditions and folklore.

The lily also holds deep cultural resonance in Italy, where it has long symbolised purity, grace and artistic refinement, frequently appearing in Renaissance art. In this shared symbolism lies a unique cultural connection between India and Italy — one rooted in heritage, artistry and tradition.

This was not the only stole presented. PM Modi also gifted a Muga silk stole, also known as the "Golden Silk" of Assam. It has a natural golden sheen to it and is considered one of the most prized textiles. Native to the Brahmaputra Valley in Northeast India, it is also known for its exceptional durability and longevity that is considered to last generations.

Meanwhile, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella received a marble inlay work box accompanied by CDs of legendary Indian classical musicians Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbulakshmi.

The marble inlay craft, synonymous with the intricate artistry seen in monuments like the Taj Mahal, reflects India’s centuries-old tradition of fine craftsmanship. Crafted using the intricate art of Pacchikari or as Pietra Dura, this decorative tradition is believed to trace its origins to Florence, Italy, before finding a grand expression in India under royal patronage.

Paired with the music of two of India’s most revered classical icons, the gift became a cultural bridge.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Dr. QU Dongyu, was gifted healthy millet bars, a nod to India’s growing push towards sustainable and nutritious food practices.

Millets have long been an integral part of Maharashtra’s agricultural heritage, especially across regions like Solapur, Ahmednagar and the Marathwada belt. The choice of gift also subtly reinforced India’s global advocacy for millets as climate-resilient supergrains that are both traditional and future-forward.

More than ceremonial exchanges, these gifts became quiet expressions of India’s soft power. Through textiles, music, craftsmanship and food, India showcased the depth of its cultural diversity while strengthening people-to-people connections across borders. In many ways, the gifts reflected how diplomacy today is not only shaped by policy and politics, but also by the stories, traditions and identities nations choose to share with the world.

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