Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expresses Gratitude As United States Returns 105 Precious Indian Artifacts
New Delhi, 19th July 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude on Wednesday to the United States for the return of more than 100 precious Indian artefacts that hold significant cultural and religious value. On Monday, at the Indian Consulate in New York, a significant event unfolded as the United States officially returned 105 trafficked antiquities to India. These artefacts, ranging from the 2nd to the 19th century CE, represent a diverse spectrum of Indian culture.
In a tweet, PM Modi stated, “This will make every Indian happy. Grateful to the USA for this. These invaluable artefacts possess great cultural and religious importance. Their homecoming is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and rich history.” The collection consists of items crafted from terracotta, stone, metal, and wood.
Out of the 105 artefacts, approximately 50 are connected to religious themes, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, while the remaining items hold great cultural significance. These antiquities will soon be transported back to India.
Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, representing India in the United States, expressed sincere appreciation to the US government, with special recognition for the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, and his specialized Anti-Trafficking Task Force, along with the dedicated team from Homeland Security Investigation He conveyed his deep gratitude for their remarkable collaboration and assistance during this important mission. Ambassador Sandhu underscored the significance of these cultural treasures, stating that they held great value for the people of India, serving as integral components of their living heritage and rich cultural tapestry.
This repatriation event follows PM Modi’s historic visit to the US in June, where he was warmly received by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House of Representatives and the US Congress convened, and in addition to their session, a speech was delivered by the speaker. The Modi government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to recovering stolen Indian antiquities. In previous visits, such as PM Modi’s 2016 trip to the US, 16 antiques were handed over, and during his visit in September 2021, the US government returned 157 artefacts to India.
