Politics
The United States has returned over 200 cultural artifacts, worth of which is estimated at USD 100 million, to India, in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on an official US visit.
"For some, these artifacts may be measured in monetary terms but for us this is beyond that. It's a part of our culture and heritage," said Modi.
The artefacts include religious statues, bronzes and terra cotta pieces, some of which date back to 2,000 years, which were looted from some of India's most treasured religious sites.
One of the pieces is a statue of Saint Manikkavichavakar, who was a Hindu mystic and poet from the Chola period (circa 850 AD to 1250 AD). The idol was stolen from the Sivan Temple in Chennai, and is valued at $1.5 million. A bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Ganesh, estimated to be 1,000-year old, is also one of the idols returned.
"It is my hope and the hope of the American people that this repatriation will serve as a sign of our great respect for India's culture; our deep admiration for its people; and our sincere appreciation for the ties between our nations," said US Attorney General
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