Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Sunday exchanged commemorative gifts linked to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, with both leaders highlighting the enduring cultural and intellectual ties between India and Sweden.
Kristersson presented PM Modi with a box containing replicas of two handwritten epigrams by Tagore that were recently discovered in the Swedish National Archives. The gift also included a photograph of Tagore taken during his 1921 visit to Uppsala University, along with an explanatory note. According to the Swedish Prime Minister, the original writings were created during Tagore’s visits to Sweden in 1921 and 1926.
The Prime Minister, in return, gifted Kristersson a collection of Tagore’s works along with a handcrafted bag from Shantiniketan featuring motifs associated with Tagore’s vision of empowering local artisans. The bag symbolised Tagore’s belief that art should become part of everyday life rather than remain confined to galleries.
Sharing details of the exchange on X, the Swedish Prime Minister said: “Had the honour to hand over a facsimile of two handwritten epigrams by the influential Indian author Rabindranath Tagore to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. The poems were located in the Swedish National Archives. The gift is a testament to the long-standing relations between Sweden and India.”
Prime Minister Modi later thanked the Swedish government and people for the gesture, saying on X: “I am profoundly moved to receive facsimiles of two epigrams handwritten by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. My heartfelt thanks to the Government and people of Sweden for this thoughtful gift. It is a reflection of the long-standing cultural bond between our two nations.”
“Gurudev Tagore’s words continue to illuminate our minds across generations and beyond geographical boundaries. His philosophy on human dignity, knowledge, and fraternity is timeless,” he added.
Notably, Rabindranath Tagore was unable to travel to Sweden in 1913 to accept the Nobel Prize personally, but visited the country in 1921, when he was welcomed by King Gustaf V. The exchange of gifts also coincides with the centenary of Tagore’s historic visit to Sweden in 1926.
