India, US ink Cultural Property Agreement for repatriation of stolen antiquities – Firstpost

India and US on Friday inked the Cultural Property Agreement on the sidelines of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee that provides for repatriation of India’s priceless heritage and deepening its cultural ties.

The agreement was signed between US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Govind Mohan, Secretary, Ministry of Culture.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweets, “A historic day for India’s cultural heritage! Today, on the sidelines of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee #46WHC, India & USA signed the Cultural Property Agreement. The Agreement provides for the repatriation of our… pic.twitter.com/NWMnzR0MBq

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024

Taking to X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “A historic day for India’s cultural heritage! Today, on the sidelines of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee #46WHC, India & USA signed the Cultural Property Agreement. The Agreement provides for the repatriation of our priceless heritage, deepening our cultural ties.”

Over the past few years, India has placed a greater emphasis on the repatriation of its cultural heritage.

According to official data, over 400 antiques have been returned to India since 2014.

As part of the agreement, the US will automatically offer the object for repatriation, negating the need for India to provide proof that it is its own.

It imposes import restrictions that stop looted and stolen cultural property from entering the US while encouraging the legal sharing of such objects for scientific, cultural, and educational purposes.

Under the agreement, the US will intercept smuggled goods at the border and return them expeditiously.

With inputs from agencies