Washington, January 3
President Joe Biden and his family received thousands of dollars worth of gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, including a $20,000 diamond gift to Jill Biden from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But a 7.5-carat diamond from Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the most expensive gift given by a leader in 2023.
According to the annual accounts published by the State Department, apart from the gifts from Narendra Modi, the first lady also received a brooch worth US$14,063 from the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, a bracelet worth US$4,510 from the President of Egypt, a brooch and a photo album. was
The $20,000 diamond was reportedly kept in the White House East Wing for official use, while other gifts to the president and first lady were sent to the archives. The office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the diamond’s use.
It is worth mentioning that the American President himself also received many expensive gifts. These include a commemorative photo album worth 7,100 USD from the recently impeached President of South Korea Suk Yeol Yun, a statue of Mongolian warriors worth 3,495 USD from the Mongolian Prime Minister, a silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei worth 3,300 USD. . Also included is a USD 3,160 sterling silver tray from the President of Israel and a USD 2,400 collage from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It is important to give information about the gifts received
Federal law requires executive branch officials to declare gifts received from foreign leaders and counterparts with an estimated value of $480 or more.
Recipients also have the option of purchasing the gift from the US government at its market value, although this is rare.
In Friday’s edition of the Federal Register, the State Department Protocol Office said CIA employees received valuable watches, coins and jewelry, which were destroyed. Their price was 132000 US dollars. – Ap