What Will Happen To Gifts Exchanged By Leaders During PM Modi’s US Visit?

Tuesday at the White House, US President Joe Biden welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders discussed a range of topics and announced multiple accords, from semiconductors to defense. This is notable since it is Prime Minister Modi’s first state visit to the US.

While the relationship between the two countries has received the most attention during the visit, the presents that the two presidents individually exchanged have also drawn notice. The leaders formally exchanged numerous priceless presents, which included lab-grown diamonds and antique American cameras.

Nevertheless, some people have questioned what happens to these presents that are received during formal international trips. Do the leaders keep them or does the government have jurisdiction over them?

What Are The Regulations?

Any gift that is received during an official visit to India must be reported to the Toshakhana of the government. The official must complete this within 30 days of his or her return from the visit. The value of the gift is determined by the authorities once it is submitted. Any gift that is considered to be worth less than Rs 5,000 is reportedly returned to the receiver. The individual may pay the difference between the limit and the assessed worth of the present if they wish to keep the gift beyond this amount. It is significant that presents with symbolic meaning may be kept by the receiver. On its website, the Ministry of External Affairs keeps track of all presents offered to the government.

Similar regulations on official gifts exist in the United States. Gifts that have a market worth more than $480 must also be returned by presidents. If they want to purchase the presents, they may do so by paying the market price. According to reports, the Presidential Library or the National Archives house the presents.

These guidelines will also apply to the gifts given and received during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. PM Modi sent President Biden a first edition copy of WB Yeats’ translation of “The Ten Principal Upanishads.” A 7.5 carat lab-grown diamond in a Kashmiri papier mache box was also given to the US First Lady by the prime minister. A sandalwood box with an image of Lord Ganesh, a diya, a copper plate, and das danams (10 contributions) were also listed on the list of presents.

A autographed first edition copy of “Collected Poems of Robert Frost,” a vintage American camera, and an archive facsimile print of George Eastman’s patent for the original Kodak camera were gifts from President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to Prime Minister Modi.