US returns 105 illegally trafficked artifacts to India
New Delhi, July 17
As a follow-up to PM Narendra Modi’s US visit, a repatriation ceremony for 105 trafficked antiquities was held at the Indian Consulate in New York on Monday.
During the PM’s visit, India and the US had agreed to work for a Cultural Property Agreement that would help prevent illegal trafficking of cultural artifacts. “Such an understanding will add further value to the dynamic bilateral collaboration between Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies of the two countries,” said an official release.
105 Indian antiquities to return home!
Delighted to attend a ceremony in #NewYork this morning, marking the restitution of 🇮🇳 artifacts following PM @narendramodi’s State Visit.
Appreciate the cooperation extended by 🇺🇸 in protection & exchange of cultural property@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/MKd1FPRI3L
— Taranjit Singh Sandhu (@SandhuTaranjitS) July 17, 2023
The 105 artifacts represent a wide geographical spread in terms of their origin in India – with 47 fromEastern India, 27 from Southern India,22 from Central India, 6 from NorthernIndia, 3 from WesternIndia. They span a period from 2nd- 3rdcentury CE to 18th-19th century CE. The artifacts are made of terracotta, stone, metal and wood. Around 50 artifacts relate to religious subjects [Hinduism, Jainism and Islam] and the rest are of cultural significance.
During the PM’s 2016 visit to the US, 16 antiques were handed over. Following the PM’s visit in 2021, 157 artifacts were returned to India. With these 105 antiquities, the US side has handed over a total of 278 cultural artifacts to India since 2016.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu thanked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his Anti-Trafficking Unit and the Homeland Security Investigation team for their role. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Homeland Security Investigation team.
