Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his state visit to Jakarta on 12 July, presented a carefully curated selection of rare Indian teas, traditional handicrafts, and decorative artworks to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto — each gift chosen to reflect the depth of India's artistic heritage and the warmth of bilateral ties between the two nations.

A Tea of Extraordinary Rarity

Among the most distinctive offerings was Manohari Gold Tea, one of India's most prized speciality teas, sourced from the verdant tea estates of Assam. Produced exclusively from the tender buds of the P126 tea clone, the tea is hand-plucked, hand-rolled, and naturally sun-dried during the second flush season in June, lending it a signature golden hue, a delicate flavour profile, and exceptional quality. What makes it especially remarkable is its scarcity — output is limited to approximately 25 grams per day, placing it among the world's rarest artisanal teas.

Handicrafts Rooted in Centuries of Tradition

Modi also presented President Prabowo with an Uttarakhand Aipan artwork depicting Lord Shiva. Aipan is a traditional folk art form from the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, historically practised by women during festivals, rendered on floors and walls using a terracotta-red base known as Geru and intricate white patterns crafted from rice paste called Biswar. Drawn entirely freehand, the art carries sacred geometric motifs symbolising cosmic energy and reflects generations of unbroken cultural continuity.

A traditional Kashmiri Papier-Mache bowl was also gifted to the Indonesian president. Handcrafted from processed paper pulp using the classical Naqashi technique, the bowl features intricate hand-painted floral motifs, birds, ornamental patterns, and fine gold detailing, finished with a glossy lacquer for both aesthetic appeal and durability.

Modi additionally presented a traditional Repousse silver decorative plate, crafted entirely by hand using the repousse and chasing techniques. The plate's design centres on a lotus medallion encircled by elephants, stylised trees, and ornate floral borders. The lotus — a symbol of purity and spiritual enlightenment — and the elephant — representing wisdom, strength, and prosperity — are motifs shared across both Indian and Indonesian cultural traditions, making the piece a resonant symbol of the two countries' shared heritage and joint commitment to wildlife conservation.

Gift to Indonesia's Parliament Speaker

Modi separately presented Odisha Ikat — locally known as Bandha — to Indonesia's Parliament Speaker Puan Maharani. Odisha Ikat is a prestigious handloom silk tradition distinguished by its intricate tie-and-dye technique, vibrant designs, and distinctive curvilinear motifs with soft, feathery edges. The fabric's defining characteristic is that its rich patterns appear identically on both sides, a testament to the skill of its weavers.

Diplomacy Through Craft

The selection of gifts carries deliberate diplomatic weight. India and Indonesia share deep historical and cultural connections — from ancient trade routes to shared Hindu-Buddhist heritage still visible in Indonesian temples and art. By presenting objects rooted in Assam, Uttarakhand, Kashmir, and Odisha, Modi underscored the geographic and cultural breadth of India's craft traditions. This comes amid a broader push by New Delhi to deepen ties with ASEAN nations, with Indonesia — the world's largest archipelago nation and a major emerging economy — holding particular strategic significance. The visit signals India's intent to elevate the bilateral relationship beyond trade into a fuller civilisational partnership.