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Context

• In a recently agreed Cultural Property Agreement between USA and India, both countries agreed to work towards preventing illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts.
• The total of 105 stolen cultural artefacts would be transported to Indian from USA.

Other Details

• The Indian Consulate in New York hosted the repatriation ceremony and the process to transport antiquities to India would be started soon.
• This agreement was materialised last month during PM Modi’s state visit to the U.S.

Earlier Initiatives

• Earlier, during Modi’s visit to U.S., 16 artefacts were handed
• In 2021, 157 such artefacts, belonging to 11th CE to 14th CE, were handed over to India.
  • They represented Hinduism (60), Buddhism (16) and Jainism (9)
  • Out of rest, 45 belonged to the Before Common Era
• In 2022, a total of 307 antiquities were returned by U.S. valued over $4 million.

Cultural Property Agreement

• It is a tool to prevent illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts.
• It will include a Designated List of archaeological materials which will be used for import restrictions.
• It has an aim to protect cultural heritage and to reduce the incentive for further pillage of archaeological and ethnological material.
• It made not permitted activities unlawful which are associated to excavate, remove, or export cultural objects.
• Once in force this bilateral agreement would impose import restrictions of designated objects into the United States except limited circumstances.

Need for Agreement

• India has lost roughly 10,000 major works of art every decade since the 1950s.
• Between 1992 and 2017, some 4,408 items were allegedly stolen from monuments across India.
• 30-40% of looted Indian art and artefacts are in USA.

Significance of the agreement

• It will strengthen the India and USA relation.
• The coordination between Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies in India and USA will be improved.
• It will help in preservation and protection of cultural and living heritage.
• It will curb the illegal trafficking of such artefacts.
• It will also improve the emotional bond between the two nations.
• It will enhance cooperation on the protection and lawful exchange of cultural property.
• It will help dismantle the smuggling network.

Cultural Importance of these 105 Artifacts

• These artefacts have a widespread geographical origin thus represent the geographical diversity of India. They belong to following regions -
  • 47 are from eastern India.
  • 27 are from southern India.
  • 6 are from Northern India.
  • 3 are from western India.
  • 22 are from central India.
• They were created during 2nd-3rd century CE to 18th-19th century
• They are made of various materials such as terracotta, stone, metal and wood.
• Around 50 out of 105 artefacts have religious significance.

Must Read Article:

India USA relations

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/india-us-relations-6

PRACTICE QUESTION Cultural artefacts have a great significance for India’s culture and living heritage hence should be protected from illegal trafficking. Discuss. Also, in light of India-U.S. cultural property agreement, mention how illegal trafficking of such artefacts could be checked. (150 words)

https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/44078/OPS/GQRBGDM9V.1+G0HBGEJTJ.1.html