Modi Gifts Kalamkari Mahabharata Artwork and Pochampally Silk Stole to Macron Couple, Showcasing India’s Cultural Heritage

New Delhi, June 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a hand-crafted Kalamkari Mahabharata painting to French President Emmanuel Macron and a traditional Pochampally silk stole to French First Lady Brigitte Macron during his visit to France this week, underscoring the deep cultural ties and growing strategic partnership between the two nations.

The gifts, carefully chosen to reflect India’s rich artistic and textile traditions, formed a significant cultural gesture during Prime Minister Modi’s official engagements in France, where he attended the G7 Summit and held extensive bilateral discussions with President Macron.

The Kalamkari painting gifted to Macron is a remarkable example of India’s centuries-old artistic heritage from Andhra Pradesh. Crafted entirely by hand using traditional pen-drawing and natural dye techniques, the artwork took nearly six months to complete. The painting illustrates key episodes from the Mahabharata, one of the world’s oldest and most influential epics, known for its exploration of duty, justice, morality, courage and ethical leadership.

At the heart of the artwork is the timeless message of the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna imparts wisdom to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The painting symbolises values such as responsibility, self-discipline, peace, wisdom and human dignity—principles that continue to inspire people across cultures and generations. By presenting the artwork to the French President, India highlighted the universal relevance of these teachings and their resonance in contemporary global leadership.

The gift for Brigitte Macron was an elegant Pochampally silk stole from Telangana, celebrated worldwide for its distinctive Ikat weaving tradition. Produced through a meticulous resist-dyeing process, Pochampally textiles are renowned for their intricate geometric and floral motifs, vibrant colours and exceptional craftsmanship. The stole represented the richness of India’s handloom heritage and reflected a blend of tradition and innovation.

The choice of the Pochampally stole was particularly meaningful given France’s global reputation for fashion, luxury and design. The handwoven textile showcased India’s artistic excellence and highlighted the shared appreciation for craftsmanship and creativity that connects the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France was marked by a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. During his stay in Nice, he and President Macron jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates programme and held extensive discussions covering defence, technology, space, security, counter-terrorism and innovation.

Following the talks, Modi described the discussions as exceptionally productive and announced that India and France had decided to elevate their relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership,” reflecting the growing depth of trust and cooperation between the two countries.

The Prime Minister also participated in the G7 Summit in Evian, where he met several global leaders, including Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni, Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz.

In Paris, Modi attended VivaTech 2026, Europe’s leading technology and innovation event, and met top industry leaders. He also addressed members of the Indian diaspora, praising their role in strengthening people-to-people ties between India and France.

As the visit concluded, Macron delivered a heartfelt farewell message in Hindi, describing the friendship between India and France as enduring and expressing his personal admiration for Prime Minister Modi. The warm exchange reflected the close rapport between the two leaders and the expanding partnership between their nations across strategic, economic and cultural spheres.