PM Modi Presents Russian President Putin with Curated Gifts Reflecting India’s Culture and Heritage

New Delhi, Dec 2025: During the two-day visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts that highlighted India’s rich culture, craft, and heritage. The gesture included a Russian translation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, GI-tagged Assam tea, Kashmir saffron, and several handcrafted artefacts, reflecting the country’s diverse traditions.

The gifts were presented as part of the special edition of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, a bilateral tradition established in 2000. The summit encompassed a joint statement, discussions on trade and business deals, and other engagements to further strengthen India-Russia cooperation.

A key gift was the Srimad Bhagavad Gita in Russian, symbolising ethical living, self-discipline, and inner peace through Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna. Prime Minister Modi offered this to his visiting “friend” to facilitate easy reading and comprehension, underlining the cultural and spiritual dimensions of the India-Russia relationship.

The Prime Minister also presented GI-tagged Assam black tea, renowned for its distinctive flavour and health benefits, sourced from the leaves of the assamica plant. Recognised with a GI tag in 2007, this tea represents the region’s rich heritage shaped by climate, land, and traditional craft. Complementing the tea, an ornate Murshidabad silver tea set, with intricate engravings, reflected West Bengal’s artistry and the shared cultural significance of tea in both India and Russia, symbolising warmth, connection, and enduring friendship.

Further highlighting India’s craftsmanship, a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra was gifted. Adorned with fine detailing, the horse, poised in a forward-moving stance, symbolises the resilient, ever-advancing India-Russia partnership. It also reflects dignity and valour, qualities celebrated in both nations, and serves as a metaphor for their mutual respect and historic collaboration.

A handcrafted marble chess set from Agra was also included, exemplifying North Indian stone inlay artistry under the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative. The set features individually inlaid motifs, contrasting stone chessmen, and a chequered marble board framed with floral designs. Combining marble, wood, and semi-precious stones, it showcases both functional elegance and visual sophistication, highlighting India’s traditional craftsmanship.

Adding a culinary and cultural touch, the gift ensemble included premium saffron from Kashmir, prized for its rich colour, aroma, and flavour. Cultivated in the highlands of Kashmir, this spice, often referred to as “red gold,” carries GI and ODOP recognition. It represents the heritage of hand-harvesting, the economic value for local farmers, and India’s tradition of blending nature, craft, and culture.

Through this carefully curated collection, PM Modi not only presented a set of prestigious gifts but also showcased the depth of India’s cultural and artisanal legacy, reinforcing the strong bonds of friendship and strategic partnership between India and Russia.