New Delhi, December 6, 2025: Flavourful Assam black tea, Kashmiri saffron, a handcrafted silver horse, an ornate Murshidabad silver tea set and a Russian edition of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita were among the special gifts presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Officials said the Bhagavad Gita reflects Lord Krishna’s timeless guidance to Arjuna on duty, the eternal soul and spiritual liberation, inspiring ethical living, self-control and inner peace across generations worldwide.
Assam black tea, grown in the fertile Brahmaputra plains and awarded a GI tag in 2007, is renowned for its bold malty flavour, bright liquor and traditional ‘Assamica’ processing. Beyond its rich heritage, it is also valued for its potential health benefits.
The ornate Murshidabad silver tea set highlights West Bengal’s exquisite craftsmanship and reflects the deep cultural significance of tea in both India and Russia, symbolising warmth and enduring friendship between the two nations.
A handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, symbolising dignity, valour and shared cultural respect, was also gifted. Its forward-moving stance serves as a metaphor for the ever-strengthening India–Russia partnership.
The handcrafted Agra marble chess set, developed under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, showcases the region’s stone inlay artistry blended with functional elegance.
Kashmiri saffron (Kong/Zaffran), cultivated in the highlands of Kashmir and prized for its rich colour, aroma and flavour, represents deep cultural and culinary heritage.
