PM Modi gifts ₹17 lakh diamond to Jill Biden; check what others gifted to US First Family

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's over ₹17 lakh diamond gift to United States First Lady Jill Biden in 2023 has topped the list of most expensive gifts to the first family in that year, according to an AP report.

Expensive Gifts For First Family

US President Joe Biden and his family were given tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, and the single-most expensive one was the more than ₹17 lakh ($20,000) 7.5-carat diamond from Indian PM Modi, it said.

According to an annual accounting published by the US State Department on January 2, Jill Biden also received a $14,063 brooch from the Ukrainian ambassador to the US and a bracelet, brooch and photograph album worth $4,510 from Egypt's president and first lady.

Further, the US president received a number of pricey gifts, including a commemorative photo album valued at $7,100 from South Korea's recently impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from the Mongolian prime minister, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the president of Israel, and a collage worth $2,400 from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

What Happens to The Gifts?

The ₹17 lakh diamond has been retained for official use in the White House East Wing, the State Department document showed, while the other gifts were sent to the archives. The AP report said that the First Lady's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the diamond's use.

Federal law requires executive branch officials, including the President and first family, to declare gifts they receive from foreign leaders and counterparts that have an estimated value exceeding $480. Many gifts that meet that threshold are relatively modest, and the more expensive ones are usually sent to the National Archives or put on official displays, as per the report.

Recipients also have the option to purchase the gift from the US government at its market value, although that is rare, particularly with high-end items.

What Were Other Gifts?

The list compiled by the US State Department's Office of Protocol will be published in the January 3 edition of the Federal Register. It shows that many CIA employees received expensive presents such as jewellery, perfumes and watches, totalling over $132,000 in value — all of which were destroyed.

CIA Director William Burns received a $18,000 astrograph, a telescope and an astrological camera from a foreign source whose identity is classified. That is being transferred to the General Services Administration. But Burns reported receiving and destroying an $11,000 Omega watch, while numerous others did the same with luxury timepieces.

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, an earring bracelet, and a ring that were valued together at $65,100.

All of those were destroyed, according to the report, as was a $30,000 women's jewellery set from the Libyan jeweller Al Grew consisting of a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings received by another CIA employee.

Another CIA employee reported receiving a men's Yacht-Master II Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch worth $18,700, another reported getting a lady's Rolex Oyster Datejust watch valued at $12,500, and one other got a $7,450 Rolex Air King watch. All three of the watches were destroyed, according to the list.

Another employee reported receiving a collection of pricey Amouage Perfume worth $10,670, the destruction of which is pending, the report says.

(With inputs from AP)