Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with gifts on 5/12, showcasing India's distinct craftsmanship, diverse geography, and rich culture.

The first gift was Assam black tea, certified as a regional specialty in 2007. This tea represents the land and culture along the Brahmaputra river, which originates in Tibet and flows through India and Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The gift also subtly referenced Prime Minister Modi's career journey, from a tea seller at a railway station to the nation's leader.

The Indian prime minister presents a Russian translation of the "Bhagavad Gita" to the Russian president in New Delhi on 5/12. Photo: X/Narendra Modi

Next was an intricately carved Murshidabad silver tea set, reflecting Bengal's ancient metal craftsmanship tradition. The set symbolizes the shared tea culture between India and Russia, demonstrating the close relationship between the two nations.

A silver horse, handcrafted in Maharashtra, India's second most populous state, symbolized "dignity and courage, revered in both nations". According to the Indian Prime Minister's Office, the horse also represents the two countries' spirit of "moving forward" and "continuous progress".

Another gift was a marble chess set from Agra, representing the stone inlay art and decorative patterns common across the Hindi-speaking belt of states.

The gift list also included Kashmir saffron, a product considered "red gold" and cultivated by local farmers on the Kashmir Valley plateau.

The final gift was a Russian translation of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit text of 700 verses from the Mahabharata, one of ancient India's two great Sanskrit epics. The work records Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna on duty, the eternal soul, and spiritual liberation. According to the Indian Prime Minister's Office, the book conveys "timeless wisdom on ethical living, thought control, and inner peace".

A silver horse, saffron, black tea, a marble chess set, a silver tea set, and a Russian translation of an ancient book were among the gifts from the Indian prime minister to the Russian president. Photo: The Print

President Vladimir Putin made a state visit to India on 4-5/12, marking the first time a Russian leader visited the South Asian nation in four years. The two sides signed cooperation agreements on employment, healthcare, maritime transport, and chemicals. The leaders also agreed to restructure defense ties, aligning with New Delhi's self-reliance goals through joint research, development, and production of modern military equipment.

Hong Hanh (The Print, Hindustan Times).