Srinagar, Aug. 31 -- When Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Kashmiri shawl to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, it was more than a gesture of diplomatic warmth - it was a powerful endorsement of India's artisanal excellence and cultural legacy. The Kashmiri shawl, steeped in centuries-old tradition, has now rightfully stepped onto the global stage as not just a luxurious textile, but as a symbol of India's soft power, heritage diplomacy, and indigenous craftsmanship.The Kashmiri shawl, especially the famed Pashmina, is one of India's most prized handwoven treasures. Its roots trace back to the Mughal era, when emperors draped themselves in its ethereal softness. Crafted painstakingly from the under-fleece of Himalayan goats, the ...