NEW DELHI — In a significant development that may rekindle hopes in India, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has acknowledged ongoing talks between Britain and India regarding colonial-era artefacts — including the possibility of shared access to the Kohinoor diamond. Her comments during an official visit to New Delhi mark one of the clearest public signals yet that formal dialogue over the contested jewel is underway.
“This is something that I’ve discussed with my counterpart,” said Nandy, referring to India’s Culture Ministry without directly naming Minister G. Kishan Reddy. “We’ve been talking between the UK and India for quite some time about how we can collaborate more closely so people in both countries can benefit from and have access to many of the cultural artefacts that stem back to a very different era.”
The Kohinoor, a 105.6-carat diamond originally mined in South India, has been a point of contention for decades. It was transferred to British possession during colonial rule and currently rests in the Queen Mother’s Crown, on display at the Tower of London. During the 2023 coronation of King Charles III, the diamond was notably left out of royal regalia — a gesture widely interpreted as recognition of India’s sensitivities and a reassessment of imperial legacy.
India has repeatedly demanded the diamond’s return through diplomatic channels, with appeals dating back decades. In 2016, India’s Solicitor General informed the Supreme Court that diplomatic options were being explored to reclaim the artefact. However, successive UK governments have firmly rejected those claims, insisting the gem was acquired legally and remains the property of the British Crown.
While Nandy stopped short of promising repatriation, her language signals a potential pivot toward collaborative arrangements. Similar frameworks have been explored by the UK with countries like Greece (over the Elgin Marbles) and Nigeria (regarding the Benin Bronzes), involving long-term loans and joint exhibitions rather than permanent returns.
India’s Ministry of Culture has intensified its efforts in recent years, successfully retrieving over 300 antiquities from countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom since 2014.
Experts suggest any arrangement over the Kohinoor would not only carry massive symbolic significance but could also serve as a litmus test for the broader UK-India relationship, particularly amid ongoing trade talks, defense collaboration, and evolving diaspora engagement.
As both governments weigh their options, the Kohinoor — long seen as a relic of colonial plunder — could soon become a symbol of renewed diplomacy and shared cultural heritage.
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