New York: The United States has returned more than 1,400 looted artefacts to India, valued at an estimated $10 million, in a major step forward in the fight against illegal antiquities trafficking. The repatriation of these cultural treasures underscores a growing commitment to preserving India’s rich heritage and dismantling international smuggling networks.
The artefacts were handed back during a formal ceremony in New York, attended by Manish Kulhary, Consulate General of India in New York, and Alexandra deArmas, Group Supervisor of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York’s Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Group. The recovery of these items is part of a broader investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office into the criminal trafficking networks responsible for the theft and illegal trade of Indian antiquities.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. emphasized the significance of this repatriation as part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal trade in cultural artefacts. “We will continue to target and dismantle trafficking rings that exploit India’s cultural treasures,” Bragg stated. “Our work is not finished, and we remain dedicated to returning stolen artefacts to their rightful owners.”
Among the returned items are valuable pieces dating back nearly 4,000 years, from approximately 2000 BCE to 1900 CE. These items represent a wide array of Indian cultures and regions, including terracotta sculptures from Eastern India, as well as stone, metal, wood, and ivory artifacts. The recovered artefacts reflect the diversity and depth of India’s cultural heritage.
The repatriation also highlights continued cooperation between the US and India in addressing the global problem of antiquities trafficking. HSI New York Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker called the return of these artefacts “another victory” in an ongoing, multi-year international investigation. “Our dedicated efforts, alongside our law enforcement partners, have been crucial in disrupting smuggling networks and recovering these priceless cultural items,” Walker said. “We are committed to protecting cultural heritage and holding traffickers accountable.”
This repatriation follows a series of similar returns. In September 2024, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, 297 antiquities were returned to India, with some of these pieces presented directly to PM Modi and US President Joe Biden during their meeting in Wilmington, Delaware. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Biden for the ongoing support, emphasizing that these objects represent more than just historical artefacts – they are integral to India’s civilization and identity.
The return of these 1,400 artefacts marks the latest chapter in a series of repatriations that have taken place over recent years. In previous years, the US has returned dozens of stolen Indian artefacts, including 10 in 2016, 157 in 2021, and 105 in 2023. These efforts reflect the growing international collaboration to combat the illicit trade of cultural property and ensure that stolen heritage is restored to its rightful home.
