INDIA KEEN TO DISCUSS THE RETURN OF COLONIAL-ERA OBJECTS WITH BRITAIN

Kohinoor, set in ‘the Queen Mother’s Crown.

Thu 18 May 2023:

The Indian government is eager to initiate talks with the United Kingdom about the repatriation of artefacts taken from the country during the colonial era, according to a Politico report quoting an unnamed Indian government representative.

According to the representative, India’s culture secretary, Govind Mohan, is focusing on the ‘low-hanging fruits’ initially.

India has begun to approach countries that may have had artefacts taken or looted during colonial times.

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India is hoping for “a process of retrieval of antiquities through bilateral cooperation and partnership, in a manner consistent with existing international arrangements,” said the representative as quoted by Politico.

Whenever there is talk of looting of colonial-era artifacts and gems, the legendary Kohinoor diamond is almost always mentioned. The priceless gem, once the biggest diamond in the world, was given to Queen Victoria by East India Company after it annexed Punjab and is now among Britain’s crown jewels.

During his coronation earlier this month, King Charles III eschewed it for other gems after India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it “brings back painful memories of the colonial past”.

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According to a report by Politico last week, India wants “a suitable dialogue” and “result-oriented conversation around the Kohinoor diamond and about return of other objects taken from temples”.

This is not the first time a country would be in dialogue with Britain about colonial-era artifacts.

India has also placed the repatriation of antiquities on this agenda in G20. India holds presidency of G20 summit this year.

“India remains committed to work with international partners in building holistic and cooperative ties,” said the Indian government representative, “in which our shared history is an important pillar, but not the only one.”

The representative was quoted by the Politico.

Previous Conservative prime ministers and culture secretaries have rejected calls for artefacts to be returned. During a visit to India in 2013, David Cameron said he did not think the return of the Koh-i-noor was the “right approach”.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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