A 7.5 Carat Symbol of Green Diplomacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a 7.5 carat, eco-friendly diamond to US First Lady Jill Biden in 2023, marking it as the most expensive present from a world leader that year. The lab-grown diamond symbolizes India's commitment to green energy and represents 75 years of independence.

In a diplomatic gesture underscoring India's growing commitment to environmental sustainability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a 7.5 carat lab-grown diamond to US First Lady Jill Biden in June 2023. According to the US State Department's recent gift records, this diamond is noted as the most lavish offering given to the Biden family from any world leader in that year.

The diamond, valued at approximately USD 20,000, is eco-friendly and produced in a high-tech facility in Gujarat, India. Crafted using a technique that mimics natural diamond formation processes, it also signifies the 75th anniversary of India's independence. Smit Patel of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council highlighted the significance of using green energy in diamond production, echoing Prime Minister Modi's vision for a more sustainable future.

The annual State Department accounting revealed that other gifts to the first lady included a costly brooch from Ukraine, while President Biden received various high-value items, sparking discussions on gift declarations under federal law. Meanwhile, several CIA employees reported receiving and subsequently destroying extravagant gifts, reflecting strict adherence to protocols surrounding foreign presents.

(With inputs from agencies.)