From Rolex To Gold Biscuit: You Can Now Buy Gifts Once Reserved For Diplomats In MEA Auction

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 12:14 IST

The auction is being conducted by the Toshakhana Section of the MEA's Establishment Division.

Luxury watches, antique silverware, and diplomatic mementoes that were once kept within the Ministry of External Affairs’ Toshakhana can now be purchased by ordinary citizens through an online auction.

The ongoing sale, which began on June 8 and will conclude on June 30, 2026, features close to 300 gifts and souvenirs received by Indian officials during overseas engagements. According to MEA officials, the auction marks a significant shift in policy following the implementation of the revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024.

Officials told NDTV that this is the first occasion on which the public has been allowed to bid for articles housed in the ministry’s Toshakhana. The only earlier sale of such items was organised in 1983 and was restricted to employees of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The collection being auctioned consists of gifts presented over the years to serving government officers of the rank of Foreign Secretary and below during official foreign visits. Reserve prices begin at Rs 2,385.

Among the prominent items listed for bidding are two Rolex Yacht-Master watches, each carrying a reserve price of around Rs 16.5 lakh, a silver dagger gifted from Oman, a sterling silver tea set made in London, an Apple MacBook Pro, decorative silver artefacts and gold jewellery.

An antique silver box dating back to the 1980s has emerged as one of the most sought-after pieces. Originally designed as a high-end cigar or cigarette case, the item has attracted bids far exceeding its reserve price. Another decorative silver box embellished with gold-plated dragons and containing a 20-gram Swiss gold biscuit has also seen bidding surpass its base value.

While the Rolex watches have generated strong interest among buyers, gold jewellery from Kuwait with a reserve price of nearly Rs 9.5 lakh had not received any bids at the time officials shared the details.

The auction is being conducted by the Toshakhana Section of the MEA’s Establishment Division. Officials said a valuation committee determines the reserve price of every item, with packing and shipping charges included in the amount. Winning bidders will receive their purchases with free delivery after the auction closes on June 30.

Proceeds from the sale will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Officials said only gifts received by serving government officers have been included in the current auction. Items presented to successive External Affairs Ministers may be offered in future editions.

Toshakhana is the official repository for gifts and souvenirs received by Indian government functionaries from foreign governments, dignitaries and other overseas entities during official engagements. Officials noted that most of the articles being auctioned are ceremonial, decorative, heritage or collectible objects rather than items intended for regular use.

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Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ...Read More

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