PM Modi gifts Silver Train Model, Pashmina Shawl to Joe and Jill Biden

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented an antique silver hand-engraved train model to US President Joe Biden and a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl to First Lady Jill Biden during his three-day visit to the United States. Modi met President Biden in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, ahead of the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit.

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This vintage silver hand-engraved train model is a rare and extraordinary piece, masterfully crafted by artisans from Maharashtra – renowned for its rich heritage in silver craftsmanship. Made of 92.5% silver, the model showcases the pinnacle of Indian metalworking artistry, with elaborate details achieved through traditional techniques such as engraving, repoussé (hammering from the reverse to create raised designs), and intricate filigree work.

This creation is a tribute to the steam locomotive era, with artistic brilliance merging with historical significance.

Signifying the robust linkages between India and the US, the model has been customised by inscribing “DELHI – DELAWARE” on the sides of the main carriage and “INDIAN RAILWAYS” on the sides of the engine in English and Hindi based on the standard format used on passenger trains in India.

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Meanwhile, the Pashmina shawl, made from the fine wool of the Changthangi goat from Ladakh, was presented to the First Lady. These shawls are made from the soft wool of the Changthangi goat, native to Ladakh, and are hand-spun by skilled artisans using traditional methods.

The shawls are dyed with natural colors and are known for their elegance, often passed down through generations as heirlooms. The shawl was presented in a handmade papier-mâché box from Kashmir, which is itself a work of art, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.

A joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Biden said the India-US partnership is “decisively delivering on an ambitious agenda that serves the global good”, calling it the “defining partnership of the 21st century”.