During his visit to the United States on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received 297 antiquities that had been stolen from India. This brings the total number of recovered antiquities from the U.S. to 578 since 2016, marking the highest number returned by any country to India.

PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Biden and the U.S. government for their efforts in returning these valuable artifacts. In a post on X, he emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural connections and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural properties. "I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the U.S. Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India," he stated.

Some of the returned antiquities were displayed to both leaders during their bilateral meeting at Biden’s residence in Delaware, symbolizing the significance of this cultural exchange. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that PM Modi acknowledged the deep cultural and historical value of these objects, noting they are integral to India's civilization and consciousness.

The antiquities date back nearly 4,000 years, ranging from 2000 BCE to 1900 CE, and originate from various regions across India. The majority are terracotta artifacts from Eastern India, while others are crafted from stone, metal, wood, and ivory.

The return of these antiquities underscores the growing cultural understanding and exchange between India and the U.S. Since 2016, the U.S. government has facilitated the return of numerous trafficked or stolen items. Notably, during Modi's previous visits to the U.S., 157 antiquities were returned in 2021, including a significant bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century, and 105 in 2023.

In July, India and the U.S. signed their first-ever Cultural Property Agreement aimed at preventing the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India, further solidifying their commitment to cultural preservation.