Indian Prime Minister gives US First Lady $20,000 diamond

President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden received gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars in 2023, including a $20,000 diamond from the Indian Prime Minister .

Mint newspaper reported on January 3 that the 7.5-carat diamond worth 20,000 USD (about half a billion VND) that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave to US First Lady Jill Biden is the most expensive gift that President Joe Biden's family received from foreign leaders in 2023.

President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House in June 2023

The information was published on January 2 in the annual accounting declaration of the US State Department's reception office. In addition to the diamond, the US First Lady also received a brooch worth 14,063 USD from the Ukrainian ambassador, and a bracelet, brooch and photo album worth 4,510 USD from the Egyptian leader and his wife.

President Biden received many valuable gifts, including a photo album worth $7,100 from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, a $3,495 Mongolian warrior statue from the Mongolian Prime Minister, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 silver tray from the President of Israel and a $2,400 picture frame from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The diamond was left in the East Wing of the White House, the first lady's office, for display while the other gifts were transferred to the National Archives.

By law, all gifts worth more than $480 must be declared. Expensive gifts are often returned to the Archives or used for display. Leaders and officials who receive gifts have the right to buy them back at market value, although this is rare, especially for high-end items.

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According to the US State Department ’s records, many CIA officers reported receiving valuable gifts such as watches, perfumes and jewelry. However, almost all of these gifts were destroyed, estimated to be worth more than $132,000.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-tuong-an-do-tang-de-nhat-phu-nhan-my-vien-kim-cuong-20000-usd-185250103170815914.htm