Gifts from India: PM Modi visits Cyprus; gifts Kashmiri silk carpet, silver clutch purse to Cyprus President and First Lady | India News
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his two-day official visit to Cyprus, presented two handcrafted gifts to the country’s First Couple – a symbolic gesture underscoring India’s rich artisanal traditions as the two nations signed several agreements to boost trade and economic cooperation.PM Modi gifted a luxurious Kashmiri silk carpet to Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. The deep red carpet, bordered with fawn and red motifs, features traditional vine and geometric patterns. It showcases a prized two-tone visual effect — appearing to shift colours with changes in light and angle — offering the illusion of two distinct carpets in one.To First Lady Philippa Karsera, PM Modi gifted a silver clutch purse handcrafted in Andhra Pradesh. The purse, made using the ancient repoussé technique, blends intricate temple-inspired floral designs with modern aesthetics. Its curved frame, ornate handle, and central semi-precious stone give it a regal elegance, symbolising India’s capacity to contemporise its traditional metal crafts.The exchange came as PM Modi attended a business roundtable in Limassol with Cyprus President Christodoulides, where both sides hailed new avenues of cooperation in fintech, high-tech industries, renewable energy, and the film sector.Multiple MoUs were signed between Indian and Cypriot companies, including a landmark pact between the NSE and the Cyprus Stock Exchange for dual listings and research collaboration. Another key agreement was reached between GIFT City in Gujarat and the Cyprus bourse, marking a major milestone for India’s global financial outreach.Several business leaders from both countries voiced optimism about the expanding bilateral relationship. Evgeniou, Chairman of Invest Cyprus, said, “PM Modi’s visit will add momentum to economic, business, and investment ties between India, Cyprus, and the European Union.”
