The Indian Government is conducting official discussions with UK Government officials to bring back the Kohinoor and other artefacts that were taken by the British during the colonial era. The campaign is reportedly named as “reckoning with the past” and is set to be the largest repatriation United Kingdom ever faced. These relics are currently on display at the British Museum.
Reports said that this issue is one of the leading priorities of the Central Government and is most likely to lead into a diplomatic and trade talk. The secretary of cultural ministry, Govind Mohan said that the thrust of effort to repatriate India’s artefacts comes from PM Modi’s personal commitment to the issue and that the PM has made it into a major priority.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be leading the endeavour of reclaiming these relics. They will coordinate with diplomats based in London, who will be conducting formal requests to institutions which hold these artefacts.
Last week during the coronation of Queen Camilla, the Kohinoor diamond was replaced with alternative gems. It is expected that this was done in regard of avoiding a diplomatic row.
The Kohinoor which currently came under the possession of King Charles III was a result of colonial coercion done by the British in 1849. The British made the then 10 year old king Maharaja Duleep Singh sign the Treaty of Lahore after making his mother a prisoner.
Even today some sections of British media still report the Kohinoor as gift from India or that it was wilfully handed over to the East India Company.
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