The most expensive gift received by the Biden family from any world leader in 2023 was a USD 20,000 diamond presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US First Lady Jill Biden, the US State Department said here.
The 7.5 carat eco-friendly, lab-grown diamond was gifted by Modi in June 2023 at a private dinner at the White House during his state visit on an invitation by President Joe Biden.
According to the exchange rate then, the diamond's cost was about Rs 16 lakh.
Modi presented a 'Carved Sandalwood Box,' a book called 'The Ten Principal Upanishads,' a statue, and an oil lamp worth approximately USD 6,232.00 to Biden.
While President Biden's gifts have been transferred to the National Archieves and Records Administration (NARA), the First Lady's diamond has been retained 'For Official Use in the East Wing,' said the annual accounting published by the State Department on Thursday.
The 7.5 carat diamond was manufactured in a factory in Gujarat's Surat by using a technology, which recreates the same process that takes place beneath the earth in formation of the natural diamonds, according to Smit Patel, convenor of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
The Kohinoor was a Type Two, a pure diamond. This diamond (gifted by PM) is 7.5 carat, which represents the 75 years of Independence. Also, this diamond was created using green energy, so that is also a step towards showing that India is moving towards green and renewable energy -- a goal espoused by PM Modi himself," Patel had said in 2023.
Earlier in November 2022, Modi had gifted a painting worth US 1,000 to Biden, the US State Department records show.
Other presents that Modi gave in the US include a 'Wall Hanging' valued at an estimated US 850 to Kurt Campbell, the Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs; a 'Jali Work Box' with an estimated value of USD 125 to Mitch McConnell, a US Senator, and a 'Camel Bone Box' valued at an estimated USD 125 to Charles E Schumer, another US Senator, the records showed.
The First Lady's second costliest gift was a 'Steel Fragment Forget-Me-Not Flower Brooch' with an estimated cost of USD 14,063 from Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the US in July 2023, it added.
Among other expensive gifts, it received a picture album worth around USD 7,100 from newly impeached President Suk Yeol Yoon of South Korea for the US president, a statute of Mongolian warriors worth 3,495 from the prime minister of Mongolia, a silver bowl worth 3,300 given by the Sultan of Brunei, a sterling silver tray worth 3,160 given by President of Israel and a collage for USD 2,400 from newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to federal law, government officials are obligated to declare gifts they receive from foreign leaders and counterparts, which amount to a value of more than USD 480.
According to the State Department's Office of Protocol, which compiles the list that will be published in Friday's edition of the Federal Register, several employees of the CIA reported receiving lavish gifts of watches, perfume and jewelry, nearly all of which were destroyed. Of the gifts destroyed, they were worth more than USD 1,32,000 combined.
CIA Director William Burns had received a USD 18,000 astrograph, which is a telescope and astrological camera, from a source whose nationality is classified. That's being transferred to the General Services Administration. But Burns reported receiving and destroying an USD 11,000 Omega watch, while many others did the same with costly timepieces, AP added.
Below the rank of director, the CIA employees who reported gifts are not identified, but one of them logged an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch, a ladies Omega Constellation watch, a diamond necklace, earring bracelet, and a ring that were valued together at USD 65,100.
All of those, as well as a USD 30,000 women's jewellery set from the Libyan jeweller Al Grew, consisting of a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings, which was received by another CIA employee.
A second CIA staff member received a man's Yacht Master II Rolex Oyster Perpetual worth USD 18,700. Another one was said to have received a lady's Rolex Oyster Datejust watch, which goes for USD 12,500, and a third person was reported to have been given a USD 7,450 Rolex Air King watch. According to the list, all the watches were burnt.
The third employee reported he received a consignment of high-value Amouage Perfume that amounts to US$ 10,670 for which destruction proceedings are pending.
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