Summary
The United States has returned 297 cultural artifacts to India, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to repatriate smuggled antiquities. These artifacts, which date from 2000 BCE to 1900 CE, were handed over to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware.
This repatriation is part of a broader agreement between the U.S. and India aimed at combating the trafficking of stolen cultural property. The artifacts returned include a variety of items such as terra-cotta sculptures, vases, and other historical relics primarily from Eastern India. Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for the support received from President Biden, emphasizing that these artifacts are integral to India’s historical and cultural identity. Since 2016, India has successfully recovered a total of 578 ancient artifacts from the U.S., showcasing a growing commitment to restoring cultural heritage. The recent return follows a historic cultural property agreement signed in July 2024, which aims to streamline the process for returning illegally traded relics to their rightful owners.
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