Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The US State Department released a compilation of gifts presented by PM Modi and other Indian government officials to US leaders. The Office of the Chief of Protocol, Department of State, submitted this comprehensive listing of “gifts received from foreign government sources” for the calendar year 2024. Under law, federal employees must file these reports for gifts of more than minimal value, which for 2024 is $480.00. The report states that the “non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US.”The listings include several items presented by PM Modi to former US President Joe Biden. On September 10, 2023, during Biden’s travel to New Delhi for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, he was gifted a “Wood Chest, Scarf, Saffron with Jar, Wood Box for Tea” with an estimated value of $562. The chest, scarf, jar, and box were transferred to the US National Archives (NARA) while the saffron and tea were “disposed of pursuant” to Secret Service policies. On July 16, 2024, PM Modi also presented Biden with a “Sterling Silver Metal Train Set” with an estimated value of $7,750, which has been transferred to the National Archives.Other members of the administration received gifts as well. Former First Lady Jill Biden received a “Pashmina Shawl” from PM Modi on October 21, 2024, valued at USD 2,969. Former Vice President Kamala Harris received a “Lord Krishna Raas Leela Silver Box” on October 18, 2024, valued at $1,330, while her husband Douglas Emhoff received cufflinks estimated at $585.65. These items were all transferred to the National Archives.Additionally, national security advisor Ajit Doval gifted Jacob Sullivan a “Kashmir Pashmina Scarf with Box” on August 23, 2024, with an estimated value of $599.00, which was “Transferred to GSA.” Defence minister Rajnath Singh gifted a “Shiva Nataraja Bronze Statue” to Lloyd Austin on November 24, 2022. With an estimated value of $3,700.00, its disposition is listed as “Pending Transfer to GSA.”
