SRINAGAR: A Kashmiri handmade silk carpet, renowned for its intricate beauty and ancient craftsmanship, took centre stage in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic gift exchange in Cyprus, underscoring the artistic prestige of the Kashmir Valley on a global platform.
During his official visit to Cyprus — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades — Modi gifted the carpet to President Nikos Christodoulides. The carpet, described by officials as a “masterpiece of India’s cultural and artistic heritage,” was created by skilled artisans in Kashmir using centuries-old hand-knotting techniques.
Woven from pure mulberry silk and coloured with natural dyes, the carpet features the region’s iconic vine and geometric motifs in deep red, fawn, and rust tones. Of particular note is its two-tone effect — an artistic technique that creates the illusion of changing colours depending on the angle of view and light, making the piece appear like two different carpets in one.
“This is not just a gift but a tribute to India’s civilisational heritage,” a senior official said, highlighting the knot density, luminous sheen, and heirloom quality that define Kashmiri silk carpets. Inspired by the Valley’s lakes, chinar trees, and floral life, such carpets are not only symbols of prestige but also of an enduring legacy of hand artistry passed down through generations.
In addition to the carpet, Modi also presented a silver clutch purse crafted in Andhra Pradesh, made using the repousse technique. With temple-inspired floral patterns, a semi-precious stone at its centre, and a modern silhouette, the purse blends India’s traditional metalwork with contemporary aesthetics.
The gift exchange came shortly before Cyprus conferred its highest civilian honour — the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III — on the Indian leader. In his acceptance speech, Modi said he dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion people of India and the “trusted friendship” between the two nations.
“This recognition is not just for me,” Modi said. “It represents the values of peace, cooperation, and global solidarity that India has always stood for — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family.”
The symbolism of gifting a Kashmiri carpet — among the most prestigious textile crafts of India — gains significance against the backdrop of Modi’s stated vision of promoting India’s soft power through traditional arts, crafts, and regional heritage. The Prime Minister has routinely chosen culturally resonant items as diplomatic gifts, with Kashmiri shawls, Pashmina stoles, and miniature paintings making previous appearances.
Kashmir’s carpets, especially those made from silk, are considered among the finest in the world, with Srinagar serving as a hub of production. Each piece can take several months to years to complete, with thousands of knots per square inch, and their export contributes significantly to India’s handicraft economy.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Cyprus also included a business roundtable in Limassol, where he pitched India as the soon-to-be third-largest economy and invited Cypriot businesses to invest in emerging sectors like semiconductors, AI, green development, and digital payments.
In a widely shared moment, Michaela Kythreoti Mhlapa, a member of the Council of Nicosia, touched Modi’s feet during a ceremonial welcome at the historic walled centre of Nicosia — a rare gesture of reverence that underscored the cultural respect India’s diplomacy evokes abroad.
As Modi continues his three-nation tour, with stops in Canada and Croatia, the Kashmiri carpet left behind in Cyprus will likely stand as both a token of Indian artistry and a reminder of the region’s global stature in the world of craftsmanship.
