PM Narendra Modi and Joe Biden to take media questions at a press event in US

Lab-grown diamonds are often considered to be more eco-friendly because it uses resources like solar and wind power to be made. This specific green diamond was sculpted with precision and care using cutting-edge technology. It emits only 0.028 grams of carbon per carat and is certified by the Gemological Lab, IGI (International Gemological Institute). The diamond also reflects earth-mined diamonds’ chemical and optical properties.

Lab-grown diamonds are produced through two technologies - High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). India is one of the leading producers of these diamonds using CVD technology. As per industry estimates, India's share in its global trade in the financial year 2021-22 was 25.8 per cent. However, India has to depend on other countries for the supply of critical machinery components and seeds -- which are the raw materials for producing synthetic diamonds.

Besides the jewellery industry, lab-grown diamonds are used in computer chips, satellites, and 5G networks as they can be used in extreme environments due to their potential to operate at higher speeds while using less power than silicon-based chips. LGD has a vast application in the field of defence, optics, jewellery, thermal and medical industries.

Kashmir's Papier mâché involves meticulous preparation of paper pulp and naqqashi, where skilled artisans paint elaborate designs. It has a GI (Geographical Indication) tag. A GI is primarily a sign of the authenticity of an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

India is promoting manufacturing of lab-grown diamonds (LGD) in the country and for that the government announced steps in the last Union Budget. The government had announced elimination of customs duty on LGD seeds from 5 per cent earlier. It also approved a five-year research grant to the Indian Institutes of Technology, Madras to encourage the indigenous production of LGD machinery, seeds and recipe.