You can take the man out of India, but you can’t take the Indian manners out of the man. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s debut visit to the White House since Donald Trump became President was of paramount importance from an economic and socio-political standpoint, but of course, all the internet can talk about is his gifting skills.
Like any well-trained Indian kid, PM Modi showed up with a platter of gifts, a jovial smile and plenty of hugs to pass around. He then proceeded to pepper the minutes of the meeting with routine backpats, two-armed hugs and profuse invitations to visit India, which Ivanka Trump is said to have accepted.
Prime Minister Modi’s gift hamper for the Trumps
If you’re wondering about the exact content of his bag of tricks, here’s the lowdown:
- A handmade wooden chest crafted in Hoshiarpur, famous for its intricate inlays.
- Tea and honey from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
- A traditional, handcrafted Himachali silver bracelet for First Lady Melania Trump.
- Hand-woven shawls from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
And lastly, a folio containing the 1965 dated original commemorative postal stamp, issued to mark the death centenary of Abraham Lincoln.