India and US Sign Agreement to Return Cultural Treasures
India and the US signed the Cultural Property Agreement on the sidelines of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. This agreement aims to return India’s cultural properties from the US.
Key Figures
The agreement was signed by US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, and Govind Mohan, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture. Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, was also present.
Significance
Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson, called it a historic day for India’s cultural heritage. The agreement fulfills commitments made by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi to enhance cooperation in protecting cultural heritage.
Details
The US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, along with the US Embassy in India, partnered with India’s Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India to finalize this agreement. It aims to prevent illegal trade of cultural property and simplify the return of looted antiquities.
Statements
US Ambassador Eric Garcetti emphasized that the agreement is about justice and connecting India with the world. Union Minister Shekhawat praised the agreement, noting it will facilitate the repatriation of cultural properties and pave the way for similar agreements with other countries.
Conclusion
With this agreement, India joins 29 other US bilateral cultural property agreement partners. The agreement was negotiated under US law implementing the 1970 UNESCO Convention on preventing the illicit trade of cultural property.
Doubts Revealed
Cultural Treasures -: Cultural treasures are valuable items like ancient artifacts, sculptures, and paintings that are important to a country’s history and culture.
Cultural Property Agreement -: This is a special deal between two countries to return important cultural items that were taken or sold illegally.
World Heritage Committee -: This is a group of people from different countries who work together to protect important places and items around the world.
US Ambassador Eric Garcetti -: An ambassador is a person who represents their country in another country. Eric Garcetti is the person who represents the US in India.
India’s Secretary of Culture Govind Mohan -: The Secretary of Culture is a person in the Indian government who takes care of things related to art, history, and culture. Govind Mohan is the current Secretary of Culture.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat -: A Union Minister is a high-ranking official in the Indian government. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is one of these officials.
President Biden -: Joe Biden is the current President of the United States.
Prime Minister Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India.
Repatriate -: Repatriate means to send something back to its home country.
Illegal trade of cultural property -: This means buying or selling important cultural items without permission, which is against the law.
