Desk:In a major success during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, 297 rare and valuable Indian cultural artifacts, which were smuggled out of the country, have been returned to India. The theft and trafficking of ancient and priceless artifacts have been a longstanding issue for India. Since 2014, the country has managed to recover approximately 640 heritage items from abroad.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude to President Joe Biden through a post on social media platform X, thanking him and the US government for their efforts. He stated, “The fight against illegal trafficking and our cultural ties are growing stronger. We are grateful to President Joe Biden and the US government for returning 297 unique artifacts.”
This is not the first time India has received artifacts during PM Modi’s US visit. In 2021, during another visit, he was presented with 157 artifacts, including a 12th-century Nataraja statue. After his 2023 visit, 105 artifacts were also handed over to India. In total, the US has returned 578 ancient and invaluable items to India.
Apart from the US, the UK has returned 16 artifacts, and Australia has sent back 14. Between 2004 and 2013, however, only one artifact was repatriated to India. In July 2024, during the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi, the US and India signed a Cultural Property Agreement. The agreement aims to curb the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage items.
India has made significant efforts over the past decade to recover its ancient treasures, and these efforts are now showing results. Sources say PM Modi’s personal rapport with global leaders has played a crucial role in retrieving these artifacts, many of which are deeply tied to India’s ancient culture and history.