Official announcements from the Indian government or reputable news sources

US Returns 297 Smuggled Antiquities to India During PM Modi's Delaware Visit, Total Since 2014 Reaches 640

Sep 22, 2024, 03:26 AM

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, 297 antiquities that were smuggled out of India were handed over to the Indian government. This event brings the total number of antiquities returned to India since 2014 to 640, with 578 of these coming from the United States alone. The antiquities span a time period of nearly 4,000 years, from 2000 BCE to 1900 CE, and include a variety of artefacts, many of which are terracotta pieces from Eastern India. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Joe Biden and the US government for their assistance in returning these cultural treasures, highlighting the deepening cultural connection and the ongoing fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. The handover took place in Delaware. Previous returns include 105 antiquities in 2023 and 157 in 2021.