Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received 65 gifts worth Rs 3.11 lakh during his foreign visits in the past ten months since assuming charge in 2014, an RTI query revealed.
On February 19, Mr. Modi received gold-and diamond-studded cufflinks, valued at Rs 75,000, by a host country. The Prime Minister was also twice given tea sets and books as gifts. He also was presented a statue of Lord Buddha, said Foreign Ministry in response to an RTI query.
The gift items received by the Prime Minister also included porcelain dishes, replica of temples, paintings, carpets, photographs, ornaments among others.
The government also said that former Prime Minister >Manmohan Singh had from 2010 to June 2013 received gifts worth Rs 83.72 lakh during foreign tours.
In 2010, he was presented with a sword worth Rs 20.91 lakh, besides ornaments valued at Rs 48.93 lakh. Table clock, pen, prayer mat, a statue of Lord Pashupatinath, a box made of gold are among other gifts Dr. Singh received during the UPA tenure.
From the year 2010 to June 2013, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had received gifts worth 3.84 lakh during foreign tours, which included bracelets worth Rs two lakh.
Besides, she was presented with Pashmina shawl, rugs, purse, tea sets, a photo frame made of silver among others.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has received gifts worth Rs 4.83 lakh, which includes many saris. Besides, ornaments, paintings, dinner sets, wrist watch, pen and silk scarves, China dishes, photo frame, a brass statue of Naag Devi, a Buddha idol made of bronze, a metal statue of the dragon, tab, candle stand were also presented to her during official tours.
