New Delhi: In a significant cultural exchange, the United States has returned 297 antiquities that were stolen or trafficked from India. This event took place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Delaware.
The ceremonial handover occurred on the sidelines of a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Joe Biden in Wilmington, where select pieces were showcased to the leaders.
PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Biden for his support in the repatriation of these historical treasures, emphasizing that the artefacts are integral to India’s civilization and cultural identity.
Spanning nearly 4,000 years—from 2000 BCE to 1900 CE—the returned antiquities originate from various regions across India. The majority are terracotta pieces from Eastern India, alongside a diverse collection made from stone, metal, wood, and ivory.
This recent return adds to a series of successful repatriations; ten antiquities were returned during Modi’s visit to the US in June 2016, followed by 157 in September 2021 and an additional 105 last June. Since 2016, a total of 578 cultural artefacts have been returned from the US to India, marking the highest number of such returns from any country.
The collaboration between the two nations underscores a growing commitment to preserving cultural heritage and combating illicit trafficking of artefacts.
