Indian PM’s $20,000 diamond is the most expensive gift received by US First Lady
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The United States State Department’s annual accounting of gifts received by the President and his family in 2023 revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented First Lady Jill Biden with a 7.5-carat diamond valued at $20,000.
The diamond, the most expensive gift given to the first family last year, was officially retained for use in the White House East Wing, according to the State Department's report.
This diamond overshadowed other notable gifts received by the Bidens from foreign leaders. These included a $14,063 brooch from the Ukrainian ambassador to the US and a collection of items valued at $4,510 from the president and first lady of Egypt.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden received a range of valuable items, such as a $7,100 commemorative photo album from South Korea’s recently impeached president, a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors, and a $3,160 sterling silver tray from Israel’s president.
Federal law mandates that executive branch officials disclose any gifts from foreign dignitaries valued above $480. While most gifts are transferred to the National Archives or displayed officially, high-value items, like the diamond from the Indian leader, are occasionally retained for official use. The report also notes that recipients have the option to purchase these gifts at market value, although this practice is uncommon.
The disclosure also highlighted the destruction of certain items received by federal officials. Several CIA employees reported destroying gifts such as luxury watches, perfume, and jewellery worth over $132,000 combined, citing security and ethical concerns. Among these, an $18,000 astrograph gifted to CIA Director William Burns was transferred to the General Services Administration, while an $11,000 Omega watch was destroyed.
The State Department's detailed list, published in the Federal Register, underscores the intersection of diplomacy and protocol in gift exchanges, showcasing the symbolic and material significance of such gestures.