Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): During his visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a handcrafted ebony wood jali box to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, symbolizing India’s rich cultural heritage and its centuries-old artisanal traditions.
The intricately designed presentation box hails from Rajasthan and is made from rare, dark Indian ebony wood. Adorned with a hand-painted peacock—a national symbol of grace and beauty, the box features delicate silver inlay work known as Nakkashi, an art form that dates back hundreds of years. The peacock, painted in vivid hues, sits atop a lid that showcases the elegance and finesse of traditional Indian craftsmanship.
The jali design, inspired by the latticework seen in renowned Indian monuments such as Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort, is meticulously hand-carved by skilled artisans. Each piece of silver is manually shaped and embedded into the wood, exemplifying the extraordinary detail and patience characteristic of Indian decorative arts.
Premier Danielle Smith expressed gratitude for the gift, calling it “a beautiful gesture of friendship and cultural pride.” The exchange was part of a broader diplomatic engagement between the Indian and Canadian leadership on the sidelines of the G7 Outreach Summit, where bilateral relations, trade, and global cooperation were central themes.
The gift was widely appreciated as a meaningful symbol of India’s soft power diplomacy, blending aesthetic elegance with historical significance.
