Modi’s Diamond Gift And State Dinner Featured In Jill Biden Memoir

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden has shared behind-the-scenes details from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June 2023 state visit to the United States, including a diamond gifted by the Indian leader and the challenges of organizing the White House state dinner held in his honor.

In her memoir, ‘View from the East Wing: A Memoir’, released this week, Biden recounts receiving a 7.5-carat synthetic diamond from Prime Minister Modi during his state visit and describes the ethics rules governing gifts received by America’s First Family. 

“Sometimes little things—flowers, wine—but sometimes big ones, like the 7.5-carat synthetic diamond Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed me at his state visit—a symbol of his country’s bid to become a leader in lab-grown gems,” Biden writes.

“The diamond was gorgeous,” Biden writes.

Under U.S. ethics rules, the gift belonged to the federal government rather than to her personally. Biden said Prime Minister Modi told her the 7.5-carat synthetic diamond had been handmade in his hometown and was valued at $2,500, leading her to consider purchasing it.

“The prime minister said that it had been handmade in his hometown for $2,500. He even had the bill of sale,” Biden writes. “I thought, Maybe I’ll buy it.”

However, the plan changed after the U.S. State Department appraised the diamond at $20,000.

“Then the State Department appraised it at $20,000, so I did not,” she writes.

Instead, Biden was allowed to wear the diamond at official functions after it was placed in a ring setting. “I was told I could display it in my office or borrow it to wear. So, I had it put in a ring setting and wore it to official functions,” she writes.

“When we left office, I gave it back,” Biden writes.

The memoir also offers a glimpse into preparations for the state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden during Modi’s visit.

Biden writes that despite months of planning, White House officials received numerous last-minute dietary requests from guests.

“At the India state dinner in June 2023, we thought we’d be safe with a vegetarian menu, but there were dozens of last-minute requests for vegan, dairy-free, and garlic-free meals,” she writes.

“The kitchen had its hands full adjusting plates to meet the guests’ needs.”

Biden writes that organizing state dinners required meticulous planning, with every detail carefully managed.

“As First Lady, you must make dozens of choices—every color, every flower, every course,” she writes. “Everything is scripted down to the minute, and every decision is sure to be dissected both by guests and by the press.”

Modi’s June 2023 state visit highlighted expanding India-U.S. ties in defense, technology, semiconductors, and strategic affairs. (IANS)