Fri Jan 03 04:30:56 UTC 2025: ## Indian PM’s Gift to US First Lady Tops List of Lavish Presents from Foreign Leaders

**Washington, D.C. – January 3, 2025** – A 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US First Lady Jill Biden has been revealed as the most expensive present received by the Biden family from foreign leaders in 2023. The $20,000 diamond, presented during a private White House dinner, significantly surpasses other gifts received by President Biden and his wife, according to an annual State Department accounting released Thursday.

The First Lady also received a $14,063 brooch from the Ukrainian ambassador and jewelry valued at $4,510 from the Egyptian president and first lady. President Biden’s gifts included a $7,100 photo album from South Korea’s former President Yoon, a $3,495 statue from the Mongolian prime minister, and other items from leaders in Brunei, Israel, and Ukraine, ranging in value from $2,400 to $3,300.

Federal law mandates disclosure of gifts exceeding $480 in value. While many gifts fall into a modest range, more expensive items are typically transferred to the National Archives. The diamond, however, will remain in the White House East Wing for official use, before being transferred to the archives after the Bidens leave office, according to a spokesperson. Recipients can also choose to purchase the gifts at market value, though this is uncommon, especially for high-value items.

The report also highlighted numerous lavish gifts received by CIA employees, primarily luxury watches and jewelry, with a combined value exceeding $132,000, almost all of which were destroyed. CIA Director William Burns received and transferred an $18,000 astrograph, but also destroyed an $11,000 Omega watch. Several other employees reported destroying similarly valuable watches and jewelry sets. One instance included a $65,100 collection of diamond jewelry and another, a $30,000 jewelry set from a Libyan jeweler. A collection of expensive perfume worth $10,670 was also reported, with its destruction pending.

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