Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi gifted his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni a traditional Muga silk stole from Assam and a Shirui Lily silk stole from Manipur. PM Modi was on a five-day tour to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Norway. During his tour, he presented a range of culturally significant gifts to world leaders, highlighting India’s traditional crafts, agricultural diversity and musical heritage.
Muga silk stole
Muga silk is also known as Assam’s Golden Silk. It is a rare handwoven textile from the Brahmaputra valley and is valued for its durability, natural golden hue, and eco-friendly production without artificial dyes.
Muga silk is one of the strongest natural fibres and is prized for its longevity and lustre.
Shirui Lily stole
Shirui Lily stole, a gift that brought a slice of Manipur to the global stage, has been inspired by the rare Shirui Lily flower, a bell-shaped flower, that blooms only in the Ukhrul district, Shirui Kashong Peak in Manipur. The flower is endemic to this region and is a symbol of purity and cultural identity for the Tangkhul Naga community.
PM Modi higlighted India’s regional artisanal traditions on the global stage, with Assam’s iconic weaving heritage taking centre stage during the diplomatic exchange.
PM Modi’s visit to Italy marked the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour. During the visit, New Delhi and Rome also discussed expanding cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, technology, energy and critical minerals.
