In the intricate tapestry of India’s civilisational soul, Kashmir occupies a space both sacred and sublime. Its snow-kissed peaks, tranquil lakes, and poetic landscapes are well known—but it is the craftsmanship of its people that often goes unnoticed in the national discourse. From the warmth of the Pashmina shawl to the finesse of papier-mâché, from hand-embroidered pherans to finely-carved walnut wood, Kashmiri handicrafts tell stories that date back centuries. And today, these stories are being reintroduced to the world—thanks in no small part to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conscious and consistent efforts.
Modi ji’s cultural diplomacy, most recently on display during his five-nation tour, has placed Kashmiri handicrafts not only in the hearts of Indians but on the tables of global leaders. At a time when Kashmir seeks both healing and integration, the Prime Minister has turned to culture—especially handicrafts—as a language of unity, revival, and respect.
This article explores in depth the Prime Minister’s unwavering interest in Kashmir’s artisans and how his vision is transforming the Valley’s handmade legacy into an international ambassador for Indian identity and inclusive growth
A Shawl Beyond Warmth: The Symbolism of Gifting Pashmina to Ghana’s Vice President
During his recent visit to Ghana, Prime Minister Modi presented the Vice President of Ghana with an exquisite Pashmina shawl, woven in the Kashmir Valley. The gesture was symbolic on many levels. It wasn’t just about showcasing Indian craftsmanship—it was about giving Kashmir a place in India’s foreign policy narrative.
The shawl, soft yet enduring, represented India’s intent to forge relationships that are rooted in cultural respect and regional inclusion. This wasn’t merely a diplomatic token; it was a political message to both domestic and international audiences: Kashmir is not a fringe region; it is at the heart of India’s cultural heritage.
In selecting a Pashmina shawl from Kashmir for such an important diplomatic moment, Modi ji sent a signal to the world—and perhaps even more importantly, to the artisans of the Valley—that their work matters. Their art matters. And their future is part of India’s journey forward.
The Legacy of Kashmiri Handicrafts: A Civilisational Story
Kashmiri handicrafts are not commercial products; they are living traditions, passed down through generations. The story of Kashmiri art is also the story of India’s resilience, syncretism, and silent strength.
Pashmina wool, derived from the underfleece of Changthangi goats, is hand-spun and handwoven by women in rural areas of Ladakh and Kashmir. Each shawl takes weeks, even months, to complete.
Walnut wood carving, unique to Kashmir, is done on locally sourced wood and represents a legacy of design that goes back to the Mughal era.
Papier-mâché items, colorful and intricate, are molded and painted using techniques that have barely changed in centuries.
Chain stitch embroidery (Aari work) and Sozni embroidery are executed with such detail and elegance that they command respect on global platforms.
Namdas (felted wool rugs), Kani shawls, Khatamband ceilings, and silk carpets—each reflect Kashmir’s harmony between nature and human ingenuity.
Modi ji’s emphasis on these crafts is not cosmetic. It is strategic, sensitive, and spiritual. His policies and gestures over the past few years have elevated these art forms from local livelihoods to global symbols of India’s diversity.
From Red Fort to Global Forums: Modi’s Consistent Voice for Kashmiri Artisans
In his numerous Mann Ki Baat addresses, Modi ji has consistently spoken about local artisans, including those from Jammu & Kashmir. He has narrated their challenges, praised their creativity, and urged citizens to choose “vocal for local” as a means of national service.
On August 15, in one of his Independence Day addresses from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister explicitly mentioned how Kashmiri saffron, Pashmina, and handicrafts must be part of India’s global branding. He said, “When you buy a Kashmiri shawl, you don’t just buy wool—you honour the hands that made it.”
These statements weren’t empty rhetoric. They came hand-in-hand with policy measures.
Concrete Steps to Empower Kashmiri Handicrafts Under Modi’s Tenure
- Geographical Indication (GI) Tags
Thanks to central encouragement, products like Kashmiri Pashmina, Kani shawls, Sozni embroidery, Walnut Wood Carving, and Papier-mâché have received GI status, ensuring they cannot be misrepresented in national or international markets. This protects artisans and preserves authenticity.
- Promotion Through ODOP (One District One Product)
Under the ODOP scheme, Kashmir’s key craft clusters—such as Pashmina in Srinagar and wool-based Namdas in Pulwama—have been identified and supported for export, e-commerce onboarding, and capacity building.
- Digital Market Access
The Modi government has actively promoted the onboarding of Kashmiri artisan cooperatives onto e-commerce platforms like Amazon India, Flipkart, and GeM (Government e-Marketplace). Now, an artisan in Anantnag can sell a hand-carved walnut box to a buyer in Berlin.
- Skill Development and Financial Support
Initiatives like PM Vishwakarma Yojana, Skill India, and Mudra loans are tailored to empower traditional workers and artisans. Many Kashmiri artisans, previously working informally, now access training and microcredit to scale their businesses legally and sustainably.
- Infrastructure and Raw Material Subsidies
Under the Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India (HHEC) and the Kashmir Mega Handloom Cluster, artisan infrastructure has been modernised. Looms have been upgraded, raw materials subsidised, and exhibitions sponsored by the Government of India both in India and abroad
Reviving a Dignified Livelihood: The PM’s Emotional Connect with Artisans
Modi ji often speaks of his early life, of working in humble surroundings, and the value of self-earned dignity. It is perhaps this personal experience that has created a soft spot for India’s artisans—who too, often work in obscurity, away from limelight, yet produce wonders with their hands.
His emotional connect with artisans of Kashmir was evident when he met several craftswomen at Srinagar’s Craft Development Institute. “Your hands are our nation’s pride, and your work is our heritage,” he told a group of elderly women engaged in Sozni embroidery. These were not political lines—they were acknowledgments of a debt long owed.
The impact of these gestures is visible on the ground. Artisan confidence has grown. Young Kashmiris are increasingly proud to associate with traditional crafts instead of abandoning them for short-term urban jobs. Slowly but steadily, Modi ji is re-weaving the dignity of labor in the Valley
Handicrafts as Soft Diplomacy and Global Identity
When Prime Minister Modi presented a Pashmina shawl from Kashmir to the Vice President of Ghana, or earlier gifted Indian handlooms to leaders of Japan, the US, and France, he wasn’t just offering gifts. He was redefining Indian diplomacy.
In the Modi Doctrine, foreign relations are not just about defence deals and strategic dialogues—they’re also about connecting civilisations, exchanging cultures, and showing the world that India isn’t a country of factories alone, but of heritage and hands.
Kashmiri handicrafts are now being placed at the center of this global identity. And this has ramifications:
It enhances global visibility for Kashmir.
It generates demand for Kashmiri products in international luxury markets.
It boosts cultural tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.
And most critically, it brings economic peace through dignity, without firing a single bullet.
PM Modi’s Vision: Integrating the Valley Through Culture, Not Coercion
There’s been no shortage of policy or political debate on Jammu & Kashmir over the past five years. But what often gets missed is the cultural approach of Prime Minister Modi toward integrating the region—not by force, but by pride.
Modi ji doesn’t believe in making Kashmir a footnote in India’s success story. He wants Kashmiris to write their own chapters, through crafts, tourism, agriculture, and cultural exports.
This is a new model of governance—a soft cultural nationalism, where a shawl replaces a slogan, and a carved box carries more weight than a fiery speech. The Prime Minister’s efforts ensure that when a Kashmiri artisan weaves a Pashmina shawl today, he knows it may wrap the shoulders of a world leader tomorrow.
The Road Ahead: What More Can Be Done?
To build on this cultural resurgence, the following steps can strengthen Modi ji’s vision:
- Artisan Schools in Every District of Kashmir – where craft is taught like science, with both tradition and technology.
- Global Handicraft Summits in Srinagar and Gulmarg, inviting designers, art collectors, and investors.
- Women-led Craft Cooperatives—especially in embroidery, Namda making, and Pashmina weaving.
- Special GI-Tagged Kashmir Handicraft Stores at International Airports, branded as “Kashmir to the World.”
- Craftsman Visa Scheme—for artisans to attend exhibitions abroad and represent their culture directly.
Conclusion: A Leader Who Wears His Culture with Conviction
In his sartorial choices, Prime Minister Modi often wears shawls, vests, and turbans made by Indian artisans. Every fold in his attire, every thread of the shawl, speaks volumes. When he gifts Kashmiri handicrafts to world leaders, he is not simply giving away items—he is exporting India’s soul.
In this silent, beautiful, cultural diplomacy—Kashmir is not a battleground; it is a bridge. And in that vision, Prime Minister Modi emerges not just as a political leader but as a cultural custodian, reviving the artistry of the valley one stitch, one carve, and one shawl at a time.
The world is watching, and the valley is listening. And between the two, a thread of Pashmina softly weaves hope.
