The Indian consulate in New York organised a repatriation ceremony for 105 trafficked antiquities handed over by the US. The antiquities will soon be transported to India, according to the Consulate General of India in New York.
The development comes follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to the US last month. Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu while speaking on the occasion, thanked the US side, in particular Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg and his Anti-Trafficking Unit and the Homeland Security Investigation team for their stellar cooperation and support.
He further noted that for the people of India, these were not just pieces of art but part of their living heritage and culture.
The repatriation ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Homeland Security Investigation team, as per the official release.
During PM Modi's state visit, India, the US, agreed to work on a Cultural Property Agreement that would help prevent the illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts. Such an understanding will add further value to the dynamic bilateral collaboration between Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies of the two countries.
The 105 artefacts represent a wide geographical spread in terms of their origin in India, with 47 from Eastern India, 27 from Southern India, 22 from Central India, six from Northern India and three from Western India.
The artefacts which span from 2nd-3rd century to 18th-19th century, are made of terracotta, stone, metal and wood. Around 50 artefacts relate to religious subjects (Hinduism, Jainism and Islam) and the rest are of cultural significance.
The Indian government has been making serious efforts to bring back stolen Indian antiquities, the living symbols of rich Indian heritage and culture, from abroad.
(ANI)