During President Putin’s visit, Prime Minister Modi presented a carefully chosen set of gifts that highlighted India’s rich cultural diversity and regional craftsmanship. The selection ranged from aromatic teas and rare spices to fine handicrafts and spiritual literature. Each item on the list served as a nod to India’s heritage, regional pride, and shared cultural respect, making the gesture more than just diplomatic — it was deeply symbolic.
Assam Tea & Kashmiri Saffron: India’s Natural Treasures
The gift list began with Assam black tea, grown in the fertile plains of the Brahmaputra valley. The tea is celebrated for its robust, malty flavour, bright liquor, and traditional processing methods. It carries a GI (Geographical Indication) tag — a recognition of its unique regional origin. Such tea reflects not just taste but history, culture, and India’s tea heritage.
Also included was Kashmiri saffron, locally known as “zafran” or “kong”. Cultivated in the high-altitude valleys of Kashmir, this saffron is prized for its vibrant colour, rich aroma, and distinctive flavour. Sometimes called “red gold,” this spice also has traditional uses in cuisine and medicine — making it both a cultural and a natural treasure.
Handicrafts: From Bengal Silver to UP Marble Chess
Modi’s choice emphasised India’s artistic craftsmanship. He gifted a Murshidabad silver tea set from West Bengal. The set, intricately engraved, represents Bengal’s historic silver-work tradition combined with the ceremonial importance of tea in India. The gesture subtly echoed Modi’s own journey — from a tea-seller at a railway station to India’s Prime Minister.
From the north came a marble chess set crafted in Uttar Pradesh (Agra). The set blends marble, wood, and semi-precious stones in inlaid motifs, floral borders, and contrasting chessmen. It showcases the region’s renowned stone-inlay heritage and the artistry that has flourished for generations.
To symbolise strength and valor, the list also included a handcrafted silver horse statue from Maharashtra. The horse’s poised, forward-moving stance serves as a metaphor for endurance, dignity, and the ever-advancing India–Russia partnership.
Spiritual Bridge: Gita in the Russian Language
A deeply symbolic part of the gift package was a copy of the Bhagavad Gita translated into Russian. The Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture, contains timeless teachings about duty, morality, and spiritual wisdom. Gifting it in the Russian language reflects a desire to offer a bridge between Indian philosophy and Russian readers. It underscores the idea that spiritual and cultural exchange strengthens international friendship.
Why These Gifts Matter
Each gift on the list carries significance beyond material value. They reflect India’s regional diversity, cultural heritage, and craftsmanship. These items — from Assam’s tea gardens to Kashmir’s saffron fields, from Bengal’s silversmiths to UP’s marble artisans — tell a story of India’s unity in diversity.
At the same time, these gifts send a message to Russia: a gesture of respect, goodwill, and shared values. Through tea, spices, handicrafts, and spiritual literature, India showcases its soft power — cultural diplomacy that reaches hearts beyond political discussions.
What This Means for India-Russia Relations
By offering these gifts, the Indian leadership underscores its intent to deepen people-to-people ties, cultural exchange, and mutual respect. The gesture signals that the India–Russia relationship is not just about trade, defence, or politics — it also spans history, culture, spirituality, and shared human values.
In the days of high-level geopolitics, such symbolic acts help build deeper connections. They remind both countries’ citizens — and the world — of long-standing bonds that transcend immediate interests.
