New Delhi: For the first time, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has opened its Toshakhana collection to the public, offering nearly 300 diplomatic gifts and souvenirs for sale through e‑bidding, MEA officials told NDTV. The online auction began on June 8 and runs until June 30, 2026, with reserve prices starting at Rs 2,385.
The sale includes ceremonial, heritage and collectible items presented to government functionaries during official overseas engagements. Highlights named by officials include two Rolex Yacht‑Master watches, a silver dagger from Oman, a sterling‑silver tea set made in London, an Apple MacBook Pro, various silver decorative pieces and gold jewellery. One standout is an antique silver box from the 1980s, originally a luxury cigar or cigarette case, which has attracted multiple bids well above its reserve price.
Both Rolex Yacht‑Master watches carry reserve prices of around Rs 16.5 lakh each and have drawn strong bidder interest, officials said. By contrast, gold jewellery from Kuwait with a reserve of about Rs 9.5 lakh had not received bids at the time of reporting. A decorative silver box with gold‑plated dragon motifs that contains a 20‑gram Swiss gold biscuit has already seen bidding surpass its reserve.
The auction is being conducted by the Toshakhana Section of the Establishment Division of the MEA. Officials said reserve prices were set by a valuation committee and that packing and shipping charges have been added to the appraised amounts. Winning bidders will receive free delivery of items after the auction closes on June 30.
Officials noted that this is the first public Toshakhana auction since a 1983 sale that was limited to MEA employees. The current move follows the revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024, which recently came into force. Proceeds from the sale will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
MEA sources clarified that the present auction includes only gifts received by serving government officers of the rank of Foreign Secretary and below; officials said future auctions may incorporate items received by successive External Affairs Ministers. They also emphasized that most items are ceremonial, decorative, heritage or collectible in nature rather than intended for practical use.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rolex-watches-silverware-more-foreign-ministry-puts-gifts-up-for-auction-11689452#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-06-26 10:14:00
