From 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 are some of the stolen antiquities from India which was handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ensuing visit to the United States. 

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. These belong to a period of almost 4000 years, from 2000 BCE - 1900 CE and have origins in different parts of India.

According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) a total of 297 antiquities stolen from India were returned to the Prime Minister on Saturday. With this, the total number of stolen Indian antiquities recovered from the US since 2016 went up to 578, the maximum antiquities returned by any country to India.

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.

In previous years, PM Modi’s trips to the US have also facilitated the return of numerous artifacts. In 2021, 157 antiquities were handed over, including a bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century. Following the PM’s 2023 US visit another 105 antiquities were returned. India has also successfully recovered artifacts from other countries, including 16 from the UK and 40 from Australia.

Taking to social media platform Modi said “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.”

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.

Modi gifts antique train model to Joe Biden, pashmina shawl to Jill

PM Narendra Modi gifted an antique silver hand-engraved train model which is a stunning tribute to the steam locomotive era, to President Biden and a pashmina shawl to First Lady Jill Biden on the third day of  his US visit for the Quad summit.  This silver hand-engraved train model -  a rare and extraordinary piece, masterfully crafted by artisans from Maharashtra - is made of 92.5% silver and the model has been customised by inscribing “Delhi-Delaware” on the sides of the main carriage and “Indian Railways” on the sides of the engine in English and Hindi based on the standard format used on passenger trains in India, officials said.