From marble inlay, silk to Mahabharata: What PM Modi gifted leaders at SCO summit

PM Modi's gift list for leaders at SCO summit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who participated in the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, presented a range of traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, tea, musical instruments and literary works to leaders and dignitaries from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.The gifts showcased India's diverse cultural heritage while highlighting the country's longstanding cultural and diplomatic ties with Central Asia.

Gifts for Uzbekistan's president

Modi gifted president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev a marble inlay decorative plate, featuring floral and foliate motifs in blue, green and red set into polished white marble. The craft is particularly associated with Agra in Uttar Pradesh and reflects generations of Indian artisan skill.

The Prime Minister also presented Mirziyoyev with two boxes of premium Kangra tea, Kangra First Flush Black Tea and Kangra Green Tea, housed in a carved wooden box. The tea represents the heritage of Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, where cultivation dates back to the 19th century.Another gift was a sandalwood Shata Tantri Veena, popularly known as the Santoor, a many-stringed instrument associated with Jammu and Kashmir.

Its resemblance to Uzbekistan's traditional Chang was highlighted as a link between the musical traditions of the two countries.

Modi also presented Mirziyoyev with the original handwritten scoresheet of Uzbek Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov from the 2025 FIDE World Cup final in Goa. Sindarov defeated China's Wei Yi to become the youngest FIDE World Cup champion and qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Gifts for Uzbekistan's prime minister

Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov received a marble inlay decorative plate, showcasing India's traditional stone-inlay craftsmanship and intricate floral designs.

He was also gifted a marble inlay casket with a Banarasi silk stole. The white marble casket carries floral patterns created with coloured stones, while the blue Banarasi silk stole features a paisley zari design, bringing together craft traditions from Agra and Varanasi.

Gift for the President's spouse

PM Modi gifted Uzbekistan president’s spouse and first lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, a marble inlay casket paired with a Banarasi silk stole, blending Agra’s stone craftsmanship with Varanasi’s weaving heritage.

The floral marble work and blue paisley zari design reflected India’s artistic traditions.

Gift for the President's daughter

Modi gifted the daughter of Uzbekistan's president a fine silver brooch featuring a floral bouquet in an ornamental basket. The piece incorporates openwork, latticework, leaves, blossoms, green cabochons and clear stones.

Gifts for Kyrgyzstan's leadership

For the prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, Modi presented a Dokra artwork depicting a pair of traditional musicians.

The handcrafted pieces use India's traditional lost-wax metal-casting technique.Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's president was gifted a Ladakhi Tsug-dul blanket, a traditional woollen textile from Ladakh featuring geometric, floral and stylised motifs.

A 10-volume English translation of the Mahabharata by Bibek Debroy was also presented to the president.Together, the gifts showcased India's regional crafts, artistic traditions, literature and cultural heritage while underscoring the longstanding cultural affinities between India and Central Asia.