New Delhi: On July 26, 2024, the U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Govind Mohan, Secretary, Indian Ministry of Culture, signed a Cultural Property Agreement in the presence of Indian Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and staff from the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Center.
The U.S.-India Cultural Property Agreement is the culmination of nearly two years of collaboration between officials from both nations, including substantial progress made during India’s 2023 presidency of the G20, and supports commitments by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi to protect cultural heritage. The agreement was concluded under the 1970 UNESCO Convention on Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, as implemented by the U.S. Cultural Property Implementation Act. The new agreement will prevent illegal cultural property trafficking, facilitate the return of illegally exported items, and promote the lawful exchange of India’s rich cultural heritage for cultural, educational, and scientific purposes.
Ambassador Garcetti stated at the signing ceremony: “With this agreement, India joins the ranks of 29 existing U.S. bilateral cultural property agreement partners. We are proud to reach the milestone of 30 bilateral cultural property agreements worldwide with our trusted partner India.” He also congratulated the Government of India for hosting UNESCO’s 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, noting that by hosting this important meeting, India demonstrates its commitment to not just protect its own cultural property but to also assist other countries in doing the same.
Cultural property agreements are implemented by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and play a crucial role in deterring the illegal trade of cultural artifacts and streamlining the process for returning looted antiquities to their countries of origin. The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and preserve global cultural heritage and to combat trafficking in cultural property.
