During his visit to Rome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a selection of Indian artisanal gifts: a Shirui silk stole, a Muga silk stole, a marble inlay box, CDs of classical Indian music, and a small box of Melody toffees.
The Shirui silk stole is inspired by the rare Shirui Lily that grows on Shirui Kashong Peak in Manipur. The pale pinkish-white bell-shaped flower is unique to the area and is an important cultural emblem for the Tangkhul Naga community, symbolizing purity, identity and pride. The stole carries Himalayan craftsmanship and indigenous motifs; the lily’s long-standing association with purity and artistic refinement also resonates with imagery familiar from Italian Renaissance art, creating a symbolic cultural link.
The Muga silk stole comes from Assam and is often called the Golden Silk of the Brahmaputra Valley. Muga silk is prized for its natural golden hue, durability and natural sheen, and is produced without artificial dyes. Its longevity, moisture-absorbing properties and UV resistance make it both practical and elegant — qualities that align naturally with Italy’s renowned tradition of luxury textiles.
The marble inlay box is a fine example of Indian pietra dura, locally called pacchikari. Crafted from polished white marble with delicate inlays of semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, coral and mother-of-pearl, the box reflects the high precision of Agra’s master craftsmen. The pietra dura technique has historical links to Florence and later flourished in India, making the object an artistic bridge between the two cultures.
Inside the box were compilations by two towering figures of Indian classical music: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the Hindustani vocalist and Bharat Ratna awardee known for his intensely expressive performances, and M.S. Subbulakshmi, the Carnatic legend and the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, notable for her spiritually resonant singing and her historic performance at the United Nations.
Modi and Meloni met for dinner after his arrival in Rome and later visited the Colosseum, where they discussed a wide range of issues. Modi shared highlights of the visit on X, noting the productive exchanges and his anticipation of further talks. During the visit India and Italy elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, outlining cooperation in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029.
Taken together, the gifts — textiles, handcrafted marble work and classical recordings — were intended to celebrate shared appreciation for art, heritage and cultural excellence and to reinforce the deepening relationship between India and Italy.
