The US has returned 297 antiquities to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit, marking a significant milestone in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Modi expressed his gratitude to President Biden and the US government for aiding in the return of these invaluable items, which span centuries of Indian history and culture.
This latest recovery brings the total number of antiquities returned to India since 2014 to 640, with 578 coming from the USA alone—more than any other country.
Some of the notable pieces include a 10th-century apsara in sandstone, a 15th-century bronze Jain Tirthankar, and a 3rd-century terracotta vase from eastern India.
The return of these artefacts is part of India’s broader effort to reclaim its stolen heritage. Modi’s past visits to the US have also seen the return of numerous items, including 157 antiquities in 2021 and 105 in 2023.
Beyond the USA, India has recovered artefacts from countries like the UK and Australia.
India and the US signed the first-ever “Cultural Property Agreement” in July 2024 aimed at preventing the trafficking of antiquities, underscoring the countries’ commitment to cultural cooperation.
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