Context

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with Prime Minister of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

About

About the gifts

The gifts obtained from several Indian states included: 

• Dokra Boat: A Dokra boat from Chattisgarh to Crown Prince Fredrik
  • The Dokra boat that he presented to the Crown prince of Denmark is a metal casting made using 4000 years old wax casting technique.
• Silver Meenakari Bird: A Silver Meenakari Bird figure from Banaras to Crown Princess Mary.
  • The silver Meenakari bird from Benaras is made through a silver enameling technique that has its root in erstwhile Persia.
  • The base is a silver sheet attached to a metallic base.
• Brass ‘Tree of Life’: A Brass ‘Tree of Life’ from Rajasthan, which PM Modi gifted to his Finland counterpart Sanna Marin
  • The brass ‘Tree of Life’ handmade sculpture represents represented the connection of human life to mother nature and the candle stand represents light. 
• Rogan painting: A Rogan painting from Gujarat to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
  • The Rogan painting from Gujarat’s Kutch area is made from boiled oil and vegetable dyes.
• Dhaal: Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store received a ‘Dhaal’ with Koftgiri art from Rajasthan.
  • Koftgiri is inlay work with gold and silver wires used for decorating arms and shields and at present used over decorative pieces.
• Pashmina stole: PM Modi gifted Pashmina stole packed in Papier Mache box from Jammu and Kashmir to his Sweden counterpart Magdalena Andersson.
  • Kashmiri Pashmina shawls are known for their warmth and soft fabric. Its exquisite craftsmanship and reminiscent designs are beyond comparison.
  • The wool used comes from a special breed of goat found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas.
  • Pure gold foil and paint impart a royal look to the piece.

India and Nordic Countries:

• Nordic countries collectively represent an economy of more than $1.6 trillion.
• As per Nordic statistics, total bilateral trade in goods and services between India and the Nordic countries is $13 billion.
• India and the Nordic states have huge strengths and complementarities.
• They share a convergence in values in freedom of speech, religion and media; all are free-market economies and they all promote gender equality.