PM Modi Presents Specially Curated Cultural Gifts and GI-Tagged Delicacies to Vietnamese President To Lam
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a carefully curated selection of culturally and spiritually significant gifts to Vietnamese President To Lam during his three-day diplomatic visit to India. The presentation, which took place on Thursday, highlighted India's rich artistic traditions and aimed to reinforce the shared historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
The official gifts included the specially developed Namoh 108 lotus, an intricately handcrafted brass Buddha sculpture, and premium Varanasi silk, each selected to symbolise different facets of India's heritage.
Spiritual Symbolism and Craftsmanship
A prominent item among the presents was the "Namoh 108" lotus, a unique variety of India's national flower developed by the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Botanically and spiritually significant, this specific lotus blooms with exactly 108 petals. In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, the number 108 represents spiritual completeness and is intrinsically linked to meditation malas and Vedic calculations. The term "Namoh," derived from Sanskrit meaning "salutation," further anchors the flower to traditional prayers, acting as a living bridge between ancient traditions and modern botanical science.
Aligning with the shared Buddhist heritage of both countries, PM Modi also presented a brass sculpture of Lord Buddha. The artwork depicts Buddha seated in a meditative posture beneath a detailed Bodhi tree canopy. Executed in the Abhaya Mudra—where the raised right hand symbolises fearlessness and the left hand holds a bowl signifying compassion—the piece holds direct relevance to President To Lam’s itinerary, which commenced with prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. The sculpture was crafted by traditional artisans from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a city internationally recognised for its generations-old metalwork.
The diplomatic exchange also included a luxurious silk fabric from Varanasi. Known for its centuries-old textile heritage, the presented fabric featured an elegant tone-on-tone jacquard weave with interconnected floral motifs. Officials noted that the Banarasi-inspired silk was specifically designed to blend Indian and Vietnamese aesthetics, conceptualised as an ideal material for crafting the traditional Vietnamese Ao dai.
Culinary Diplomacy: GI-Tagged Regional Delicacies
Alongside the ceremonial gifts, the state hospitality featured a specially curated menu showcasing regional culinary specialties from Bihar and Maharashtra, emphasising India's agricultural diversity.
The menu heavily featured items carrying the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, underscoring their authentic regional origins. Delicacies from Bihar included Silao Khaja from the Nalanda district, renowned for its layered texture; Gaya Anarsa; premium Mithila Makhana (fox nuts); and the Hajipur Malbhog Banana, valued for its rich aroma and creamy texture.
From Maharashtra, the delegation was served Ratnagiri Alphonso mangoes, another prominent GI-tagged agricultural product. The menu also incorporated healthy millet bars, highlighting climate-resilient crops cultivated in regions like Solapur and Ahmednagar. The inclusion of millet bars represented a strategic blend of traditional Indian agriculture and modern nutritional innovation.
Our Final Thoughts
The exchange of meticulously curated gifts during high-level diplomatic visits is a nuanced exercise in soft power. By presenting items like the Namoh 108 lotus and the Moradabad Buddha sculpture, India is actively leveraging its civilisational heritage to forge deeper connections with Southeast Asian nations. The inclusion of GI-tagged regional foods further serves as an international showcase for India's diverse agricultural and culinary footprint. Such gestures go beyond mere protocol, effectively utilising cultural and spiritual syncretism to strengthen the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Hanoi.