First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was presented with a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond, valued at $20,000, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a report released by the U.S. State Department on January 2, 2025. The diamond, which was given during Modi’s state visit to the United States on June 22, 2023, became the most expensive gift received by either President Joe Biden or the First Lady from a foreign leader in 2023. The State Department mentioned that the diamond is “retained for official use in the East Wing.”
In addition to the diamond, other notable gifts were “retained for official use.” These include a piece of calligraphy titled “The Ship in the Sky,” presented by Sugako Hamazaki, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Yuko, on June 13, 2023. This gift, valued at $2,500, is also kept for official use. Another significant item, a “Steel Fragment Forget-Me-Not Flower Brooch,” gifted by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, on February 7, 2023, is worth $14,063 and was retained for official use as well.
While most gifts presented to the President and First Lady have already been transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the First Lady’s diamond is expected to be transferred to NARA once the President and First Lady leave office. U.S. officials are also allowed to purchase gifts from the federal government at the market value. Other gifts received by Dr. Biden, which have already been transferred to NARA, include items such as a Delvaux pouch, a Brown Lip Shell Jewelry Box, a Swarovski Necklace, Earrings, Ring, an Eye of Horus Necklace, an Egyptian Wood Inlaid Shell Purse, a Scarf, a book titled “Carthage – Fact and Myth,” a Sculpture, traditional sweets, wine, handkerchiefs, and a pair of bangles.
Each year, the State Department’s Chief of Protocol compiles a list of gifts received by U.S. officials from foreign governments, which includes tangible items and travel-related gifts exceeding a minimum threshold value of $480. The report for 2023, which includes a full list of these gifts, is set to be published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2025, and will be made available online for public access.
In addition to Dr. Biden’s gifts, Prime Minister Modi also presented President Joe Biden with several items during his state visit on June 22, 2023. These included a “Carved Sandalwood Box,” a book titled “The Ten Principal Upanishads,” a statue, and an oil lamp, collectively valued at $6,232. These gifts, like Dr. Biden’s, were transferred to NARA for official documentation and preservation. Additionally, on November 15, 2022, President Biden received a painting from Prime Minister Modi, valued at $1,000, which was also sent to NARA.
Aside from the gifts presented by Prime Minister Modi, other international leaders also presented items to U.S. officials. For example, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell, was gifted a “Wall Hanging” by Modi on August 1, 2023, valued at $850. This gift is still pending transfer to the General Services Administration (GSA). National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan received a “Wooden Elephant Sculpture,” valued at $638, from India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, on July 1, 2023. This gift is also pending transfer to GSA. Doval presented another gift to Sullivan, a “Silver Jaguar Statue” worth $485, on January 31, 2023, which is likewise awaiting transfer to GSA.
On September 23, 2022, Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall was given a “Silver Elephant Sculpture” valued at $3,980 by Deputy National Security Advisor Rajinder Khanna. This gift is also pending transfer to GSA. Furthermore, Khanna presented another gift to Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber & Emerging Technology, on July 1, 2022. This included a “Silver Candlestick” and a “Silver Picture Frame,” valued at $515. This gift is also pending transfer to GSA.
In addition to gifts from Indian leaders, international figures from other countries have also presented gifts to President Biden. For instance, Rishi Sunak, the Indian-origin former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, gave a “Glass Thomas Lyte Bowl” to President Biden on July 10, 2023. Valued at $900, this gift has already been transferred to NARA. Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan presented a “Rug in Velvet Case” valued at $525 to President Biden on October 20, 2022, which was also transferred to NARA.
Gifts from heads of state and government from other nations, including Ukraine, China, Pakistan, Germany, Israel, Ireland, Egypt, Ghana, Tunisia, Mauritius, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, have also been presented to President Biden. These items have varied in nature and value, but many are retained for official use or have already been documented and transferred to NARA.
The gifts presented to the President and First Lady serve as symbols of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and foreign governments. These presents, including the high-value diamond from Prime Minister Modi, are carefully cataloged and preserved for official use, and in many cases, are eventually transferred to the National Archives for posterity. The report also highlights the practice of documenting such gifts for transparency, with the 2023 compilation expected to be available to the public in early 2025.