Modi gifts Kamala Harris a Gulabi Meenakari chess set, frame with notifications about her grandfather

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on Wednesday bearing gifts. The Indian PM, who is currently on an official visit to the US during which he will hold the first face-to-face meeting with President Joe Biden, attend the maiden in-person Quad summit and address the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, earlier met US Vice-President Kamala Harris and presented her with special presents.

An official statement said that Modi had "a very successful bilateral meeting" with Harris.

The Prime Minister presented Indian-origin Harris with a copy of old notifications related to her grandfather, Shri PV Gopalan - a senior and respected government officer who served in various positions.

The notifications were set in a wooden handicraft frame.

He also gifted Harris a Gulabi Meenakari chess set, reflecting the craftsmanship of Kashi - PM Modi's constituency.

Modi also presented Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison with a Silver Gulabi Meenakari Ship - another piece handcrafted by Kashi's craftsmen.

Meanwhile, to the Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga, Modi presented a Sandalwood Buddha Statue.

In March, President Biden hosted the first-ever summit of the Quad leaders in a virtual format that vowed to strive for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, anchored by democratic values and unconstrained by coercion, sending a message to China which has been behaving aggressively in the region.

In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Known as the 'Quadrilateral Security Dialogue', the representatives for the four-member nations -- US, India, Australia and Japan -- have met periodically since its establishment in 2007.

(With inputs from PTI)