प्रधानमंत्री मोदी की अमेरिका यात्रा: 297 भारतीय पुरावशेष भारत को सौंपे जाएंगे।

PM Modi in US: 297 Indian antiquities to be handed over to India.

The problem of illicit trafficking in cultural property has historically affected many cultures and nations. India, too, has faced significant challenges, with thousands of its antiquities smuggled overseas. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent three-day visit to the US, a total of 297 antiquities were officially returned to India, bringing the total recovered since 2014 to 640.

From the US alone, the count of returned antiquities now stands at 578. Previous visits by PM Modi have also resulted in notable recoveries; during his 2021 trip, the US government returned 157 items, including a 12th-century bronze Nataraja statue. Additionally, shortly after his 2023 visit, another 105 antiquities were repatriated. "Preserving heritage and culture: restituting antiquities. The US has facilitated the return of 297 stolen or trafficked antiquities during PM @narendramodi's visit," stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, in a post on X. India's successful repatriation efforts extend beyond the US, with 16 artefacts returned from the UK and 40 from Australia, among others.

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. @POTUS @JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/0jziIYZ1GO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024

These recoveries over the past decade underscore the government's commitment to reclaiming and preserving India's cultural heritage for future generations. While in New York, Modi will participate in an Indian community event in Long Island on September 22 and address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly the following day. His agenda also includes a roundtable discussion with CEOs from American companies focused on advanced technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors.

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