PM Modi gifts Ramen bowl, shawl to Ishiba, his wife

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented exquisitely crafted gifts to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his spouse, reflecting India’s rich artistic and cultural traditions.

For Ishiba, Modi gifted a set of vintage precious stone ramen bowls with silver chopsticks, blending Indian artistry with Japanese culinary heritage. The centrepiece of the set is a large brown moonstone bowl accompanied by four smaller bowls, resting on a Makrana marble base inlaid with semi-precious stones using the traditional parchin kari technique of Rajasthan.

The moonstone, sourced from Andhra Pradesh, is renowned for its soft glow, known as adularescence, and symbolises love, balance and protection. The design draws inspiration from Japan’s donburi and soba dining rituals, making the gift a thoughtful cultural bridge.

For the PM’s spouse, Modi chose a pashmina shawl presented in a papier-mâché box, both testaments to Kashmir’s centuries-old craftsmanship. Handwoven from the fine wool of the Changthangi goat found in Ladakh, the ivory-coloured shawl features delicate floral and paisley patterns in rust, pink and red — a classic Kashmiri design celebrated for its softness, warmth and elegance. The accompanying papier-mâché box, hand-painted with intricate floral and bird motifs, further showcases the region’s artisanal heritage.

The gesture reflects Modi’s longstanding practice of promoting Indian craftsmanship on the global stage through symbolic diplomatic exchanges. Past state visits have similarly featured gifts rooted in India’s regional traditions, underlining both cultural diplomacy and support for local artisans.