Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted an antique silver train model to US President Joe Biden during his three-day trip to the country.
Modi gifted the vintage train model to Biden when they met at the US President's hometown, Wilmington, in Delaware, ahead of the Quad summit. The hand-engraved model showcases the pinnacle of Indian metalworking artistry.
Interestingly, the model bore the inscription, "Delhi - Delaware", on the sides of the main carriage in English and Hindi. The sides of the engine also had the inscription, "Indian Railways", in both the languages as per the standard format used on Indian passenger trains.
A tribute to the steam locomotive era, it was crafted by artisans from Maharashtra, which is renowned for its rich heritage in silver craftsmanship. The train model, which is made of 92.5 per cent silver, was crafted using traditional techniques like engraving, repoussé (hammering from the reverse to create raised designs), and intricate filigree work.
Modi also gifted a Kashmiri pashmina shawl packed in a papier mache box to First Lady Jill Biden. Each handmade papier mache box is a unique work of art, crafted using a mixture of paper pulp, glue, and other natural materials. They also serve as decorative items in their own right, said officials.
Following the meeting, the PM took to X, thanking Biden for hosting him at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. "Our talks were extremely fruitful. We had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues during the meeting," he said.
During the meeting, the US also handed over 297 antiquities to India. These were were smuggled out of the country. Modi said the US decision has helped deepen cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. "I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India," Modi said on X.
Modi said the artefacts were not just part of India's historical material culture but formed the inner core of its civilisation and consciousness. Since 2014, at least 640 such artefacts were recovered by India. These include 578 items from the US, the highest number of items returned by any country to India.