GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a traditional Eri silk stole from Assam to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome, showcasing one of India's most celebrated handloom traditions on the global stage.

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Eri silk, popularly known as “peace silk,” is one of Assam’s most distinctive handloom traditions and is celebrated for being produced through a cruelty-free process in which the silkworm is not killed during extraction.

The gifting of the Assamese stole was seen as a symbolic cultural gesture highlighting India’s rich textile heritage and Assam’s globally recognised weaving tradition.

Taking to the social media platform X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "During his visit to Italy, Adarniya Narendra Modi ji gifted an Eri Silk stole to Hon'ble Prime Minister of Italy, H.E Girogia Meloni. The Eri silk, also known as peace silk, unique to Assam, is obtained in cruelty free manner and represents the State's finest weaving traditions. Hon'ble Prime Minister also gifted a sample of Joha rice to Dr. Qu Dongyu, the DG of FAO , which is a small grain scented rice variety unique to Assam and has a rich aroma."

In addition to this, the prime minister also presented a Shirui Lily silk stole, inspired by the rare Shirui Lily flower found exclusively on the Shirui Kashong Peak in Manipur. The stole draws from the flower’s delicate bell-shaped form and pale pinkish-white hues, reflecting the cultural and natural heritage of Northeast India through handcrafted textile artistry.

PM Modi also gifted a Marble Inlay Work Box to the President of Italy, showcasing the intricate Pacchikari or Pietra Dura craftsmanship associated with Agra. The art form, believed to have originated in Florence before flourishing in India under royal patronage, symbolises a shared artistic connection between India and Italy. Inside the handcrafted box were curated CDs featuring musical compilations by two legendary Indian classical musicians — Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and M. S. Subbulakshmi.