India, Sept. 25 -- A diplomatic gift is rarely just a gift. For centuries, world leaders have exchanged everything - from statues and artworks to elephants, pandas, dogs and even cats - objects and animals that showcase a country's culture and signal goodwill.

In a more recent show of "gift diplomacy", US President Donald Trump on Thursday presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with a sculpture of a bald eagle, a bird native to North America and Washington's national symbol.

In turn, the Chinese leader promised two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, reviving Beijing's decades-old tradition of using pandas as a diplomatic gesture, on the opening day of his first state visit to the US in more than a decade.

Diplomatic gifts come in all shapes ...