India

588 Antiquities Recovered From US, With 297 Returned In 2024: Govt Report

India has successfully repatriated 588 antiquities from the United States, with 297 of them being returned in 2024, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat provided this update in response to a written query in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister clarified that these repatriations were part of efforts under the US-India Cultural Property Agreement (CPA), which aims to prevent the illicit trade of Indian antiquities.

However, Shekhawat pointed out that the agreement is preventive and does not have specific timelines or target numbers for repatriation.

CPA Aids Recovery Of 588 Antiquities From US

Shekhawat explained that the CPA has played a key role in recovering Indian cultural property while responding to a question about the return of looted or stolen artifacts.

“The USA has repatriated 588 antiquities so far, with 297 returned in 2024,” he stated.

The minister emphasized that the agreement focuses on prevention rather than specifying a fixed number or timeframe for returns.

India and the United States signed the Cultural Property Agreement to prevent the smuggling of Indian antiquities and stop the illegal trade or sale of cultural treasures abroad.

India Collaborates With Global Bodies For Cultural Property Recovery

In a separate response, Shekhawat was asked if the government plans to collaborate with other nations and international organizations to strengthen its efforts in recovering stolen antiquities.

The minister assured that India actively collaborates with various global entities, including UNESCO and INTERPOL, depending on the need.

“The CPA provides provisions for fostering cooperation and mutual understanding in technical assistance, illicit trade, and the pillage of cultural property,” Shekhawat added.

This highlights India’s ongoing commitment to working with international partners to safeguard its cultural heritage.

Resurgence Of Ancient Sects And Spiritual Practices

In a different query, Shekhawat addressed questions about the ‘resurgence of ancient sects’, particularly during major events like the Kumbh Mela.

The minister explained that the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, plays a vital role in showcasing ancient spiritual practices.

The festival sees millions of devotees gather to bathe in sacred rivers, with many ancient sects and spiritual organizations participating.

Shekhawat attributed the resurgence of ancient sects to growing interest in cultural and spiritual heritage, particularly as people search for deeper meaning amid modern challenges in religion.

He also mentioned the influence of social media and religious tourism in spreading awareness about these sects.

ALSO READ: India’s Defence Sector Set For Major Upgrades With Rs 54,000 Crore Investment

Purnima Mishra

Recent Posts

CJI BR Gavai Highlights Judicial Integrity At UK Supreme Court Roundtable

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai urges transparency and swift action to uphold public trust…

37 mins ago

Historic Win For RCB; Beats PBKS In Tight IPL 2025 Final Match

In a thrilling IPL 2025 final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB…

7 hours ago

PM Modi Hails Andhra Pradesh’s #Yogandhra2025 Campaign; To Lead Yoga Day Celebrations In State

PM Modi has praised Andhra Pradesh’s large-scale preparations for International Yoga Day 2025, applauding its…

10 hours ago

Servotech Secures ₹336 Million Solar Rooftop Project From Northeast Frontier Railway

Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd, a leading in India’s solar industry, won a contract for…

12 hours ago

Supriya Sule-Led Delegation Meets Arab League Secretary-General To Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Ties

An all-party delegation by Supriya Sule met with League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul…

13 hours ago

IPL 2025 LIVE: History Beckons As RCB And PBKS Clash For Maiden IPL Title

RCB and PBKS are battling it out at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, 3…

13 hours ago