Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude on Sunday to US President Joe Biden for returning 297 "invaluable antiquities" that were illicitly trafficked from India.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi stated, "Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties." I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India."
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the artefacts were returned "in keeping with close bilateral ties and to foster greater cultural understanding".
The statement said the pieces will be "shortly repatriated to India." It added that a select few pieces were showcased to Modi and Biden during their bilateral meeting in Wilmington, Delaware.
The US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Archaeological Survey of India, under the Ministry of Culture, Union Government, signed a Cultural Property Agreement in July 2024 to strengthen cultural ties.
The agreement aims to fulfil the commitments made by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi to enhance cooperation in protecting cultural heritage, as stated in the Joint Statement issued after their meeting in June 2023, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The antiquities belong to a period of almost 4000 years, from 2000 BCE – 1900 CE and have origins in different parts of India. The majority of the antiquities are terracotta artefacts from Eastern India, while others are made of stone, metal, wood and ivory and belong to different parts of the country.
According to MEA, the Apsara in sandstone from Central India belonging to the 10-11th century CE, Jain Tirthankar in bronze from Central India belonging to the 15-16th century CE, Terracotta vase from Eastern India belonging to the 3-4th century CE, Stone Sculpture from South India belonging to 1st-century BCE-1st century CE, Lord Ganesh in Bronze from South India belonging to 17-18th century CE were handed over.
The antiquities also included Standing Lord Buddha in sandstone from North India belonging 15-16th century CE, Lord Vishnu in Bronze from Eastern India belonging to 17-18th century CE, Anthropomorphic figure in copper from North India belonging to 2000-1800 BCE, Lord Krishna in bronze from South India belonging to 17-18th century CE and Lord Karthikeya in granite from South India belonging to 13-14th century CE.
The total number of cultural artefacts returned from the US to India since 2016 stands at 578. This is the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned to India by any other country.
BJP sweeps Gujarat local body polls, PM Modi calls it a ‘victory for development’
The ruling BJP has once again reinforced its dominance in Gujarat by sweeping the local body elections and securing a decisive victory in the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC).
Drugs valued at Rs 42 crore seized in Mizoram & Assam
The security personnel in Mizoram and Assam have seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 42 crore and arrested three drug peddlers including two Myanmar nationals during the past 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.
Full implementation of new criminal laws to be ensured in J&K by April: HM Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on the implementation of three new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir, in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
India-UAE bilateral trade doubles to $83.7 billion in two years after signing economic pact
The India-United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) signed on 18th February 2022 completed three successful years on Tuesday which saw bilateral trade nearly doubling from $43.3 billion in FY 2020-21 to $83.7 billion in 2023-24, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said on Tuesday.
Tripura govt aims 80 pc irrigation coverage to boost agriculture: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Tuesday that the state government has set a target of achieving 80 per cent irrigation coverage of cultivable land in the next few years.
US to deport illegal migrants from India to Costa Rica
The Central American country of Costa Rica has agreed to accept illegal Indian migrants deported from the US, creating a bridge for working out their eventual fate.
Want to increase and diversify India-Qatar trade linkages, says PM Modi after 'productive' talks with 'brother' Sheikh Al Thani
As they announced to elevate the ties to a strategic partnership, India and Qatar on Tuesday also expressed happiness at the signing of the revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and expediting negotiations on the India-Qatar Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Russia and US to appoint ambassadors, announce negotiating teams to end conflict in Ukraine
Russia and the United States will soon announce teams to negotiate a path to ending the war in Ukraine besides also ensuring the "earliest possible appointment" of ambassadors in both Moscow and Washington.