US returned only 8 antiquities during PM's visit: govt

The US has returned eight antiquities to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Washington, government told Rajya Sabha today.

The written reply came amid reports that the US had handed back over 200 cultural artifacts estimated at USD 100 million to India at a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister at Washington DC in June.

"US authorities have returned only eight antiquities to the Prime Minister of India during his visit to the US," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply.

On a query regarding the value of the returned antiquities in international market, he said, "It is not the mandate of Archaeological Survey of India to determine the market value of antiquities."
 

He said these antiquities, including a bronze image of Ganesha, were returned voluntarily.