Takes total number returned since 2016 to 579, which marks the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned by any country to India
The size of the global stolen or illicitly trafficked antiquities market is huge. Various, widely varying estimates have been made at different times, but it is difficult to accurately know its size and monetary value.
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According to a report by Aljazeera.com, Roger Atwood’s 2020 book Stealing History estimates that it could be worth anywhere between $300m to $6bn a year. UNESCO, however, reports that the illicit trade in cultural goods, which encompasses antiquities trafficking, is worth $10bn a year.
Among other regions globally, India, Africa and the Middle East have been the worst sufferers of this booming illegal trade.
But now the Indian government is doubling down on its efforts to bring these stolen or illegally trafficked antiquities back to the country from various parts of the world.
In recent years, the government has been most successful in bringing back such piece or art from the United States of America.
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According to a joint US-India fact sheet, since 2016, the US Government has facilitated the return of hundreds of trafficked or stolen antiquities. This includes 10 antiquities returned during Indian PM’s visit to USA in June 2016; 157 antiquities during his visit in September 2021 and a further 105 antiquities during his visit in June last year.
The total number of cultural artefacts returned from US to India since 2016 stands at 579. This is the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned by any country to India.
Recently the two countries have also signed an agreement to hasten the process. The Cultural Property Agreement was signed in July 2024 between the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India under Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The agreement marks the fulfilment of commitments made by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance cooperation to protect cultural heritage, as reflected in the Joint Statement issued after their meeting in June 2023.
Biden Administration facilitates return of 297 more antiquities to India
During PM Narendra Modi’s latest visit to the US to participate in the QUAD summit and the United Nations General Assembly, the US side facilitated the return of 297 antiquities that had been stolen or trafficked from India. These will shortly be repatriated to India.
In a symbolic handing over, a select few pieces were showcased to Prime Minister Modi and President Biden on the sidelines of their bilateral meeting in Wilmington, Delaware.
According to the joint fact sheet, the antiquities belong to 4000-year time period, from 2000 BCE–1900 CE, and have origins in different parts of India. Majority of the antiquities are terracotta artefacts from Eastern India, while others are made in stone, metal, wood and ivory and belong to different parts of the country.
Some of the notable antiquities handed over are:
Apsara in sandstone from Central India belonging to 10-11th century CE
Jain Tirthankar in bronze from Central India belonging to 15-16th century CE
Terracotta vase from Eastern India belonging to 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
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
Lord Karthikeya in granite from South India belonging to 13-14th century CE
