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The U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, and Govind Mohan, Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture, signed a Cultural Property Agreement in the presence of Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. This agreement marks the culmination of nearly two years of collaborative efforts and fulfills the commitment made by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi to enhance cultural heritage cooperation, as highlighted in their joint statement from June 2023.
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Protecting Cultural Heritage
The agreement aims to prevent the illegal trade of cultural property and streamline the process for returning looted and stolen antiquities to their countries of origin. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in India and the Indian Ministry of Culture, played a crucial role in bringing this agreement to fruition. This initiative underscores the U.S.'s unwavering commitment to protecting and preserving cultural heritage worldwide and restricting the trafficking of cultural property.
Promoting Justice and Global Connection
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Garcetti emphasized the dual importance of the agreement: "First and foremost, it’s about justice – returning to India and to Indians what is rightfully theirs. Secondly, it’s about connecting India with the world. Every American and every global citizen deserves to know, see, and experience the culture that we celebrate here today."
India's Commitment to Cultural Protection
Ambassador Garcetti also congratulated the Indian government for hosting UNESCO’s 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, highlighting India's dedication to protecting not only its own cultural property but also aiding other countries in similar efforts.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
With this agreement, India joins 29 other nations that have bilateral cultural property agreements with the U.S. Negotiated under the U.S. law implementing the 1970 UNESCO Convention, this pact symbolizes a significant step in enhancing U.S.-India relations and joint efforts to safeguard cultural heritage globally.
