Biden's wife got costliest gift from PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave US President Joe Biden and his wife a box containing a 7.5 carat synthetic diamond garnered the most attention. The diamond, worth $20,000, has become the most expensive gift received by the US first family in 2023,
Among the multiple gifts Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave US President Joe Biden and his wife during his June 2023 visit, a box containing a 7.5 carat synthetic diamond garnered the most attention. The diamond, worth $20,000, has become the most expensive gift received by the US first family in 2023, according to a report by the State Department.
The diamond is among the tens of thousands of dollars worth of gifts received by Biden and his wife from foreign leaders in 2023. However, Jill Biden won't be able to use it personally as it has been retained for official use in the White House East Wing.
Jill Biden's spokesperson told the Associated Press that the lab-grown diamond, produced and polished in Surat, would be handed over to the National Archives after they leave office ahead of Donald Trump's January 20 inauguration.
However, the First Lady would have the option to "purchase" the gift from the US government at its market value after Biden demits office, according to norms. Such a case is, however, rare, particularly with high-end items.
As per the law, gifts received by the first family exceeding $480 in value from foreign officials have to be declared. While modest gifts may be retained for personal use, expensive items are typically transferred to the National Archives or displayed officially.
The second-costliest item received by Jill Biden was a $14,063 brooch from Ukraine's ambassador to the US and a bracelet, brooch and photograph album worth $4,510 from Egypt's president and first lady.
President Biden himself received several luxury gifts, including a $7,100 commemorative photo album from South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol.
The State Department report said several CIA officers received high-value gifts, many of which were destroyed as required by protocol. The CIA Director, William Burns, received an $18,000 astrograph — a telescope and astrological camera — from an undisclosed foreign source. Burns also disclosed that he destroyed a $11,000 Omega watch he received.
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