Friendly relationship: USA returns Indian cultural artifacts

Washington: The friendly relations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Barack Obama is bearing fruits, as now, the US on Tuesday returned over 200 cultural artefacts of India.

"I am grateful to the United States and President Barack Obama for returning these treasures to India which join us to our past," he said.

These artefacts estimated at $100 million (Rs 668 crore) were gifted to India at a ceremony in Washington attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

• Various countries have endeavoured to return India's stolen cultural heritage.
• For the people of India these artefatcs are part of our culture and heritage.
• Many tourists want to see the rich history a place offers.
• People are attracted to India for its ancient civilization. Referring to the Indus Valley civilization.

Items returned:

• Religious statues, bronzes and terracotta pieces, some dating back 2,000 years, looted from some of India's most treasured religious sites.
• Statue of Saint Manikkavichavakar, a Hindu mystic and poet from the Chola period (circa 850 AD to 1250 AD) stolen from the Sivan Temple in Chennai, which is valued at $1.5 million (Rs 10 crore).
• Bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Ganesh estimated to be 1,000-year-old.