The Ministry of Culture, through Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, reported to the Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2026, the successful retrieval of 662 stolen Indian antiquities from foreign countries as of June 2026. The retrieval effort is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative and represents tangible results of India's cultural heritage preservation efforts.
The country-wise breakdown shows the United States accounts for the overwhelming majority of returns with 589 antiquities, followed by Australia (51), the United Kingdom (21), and the Netherlands (1). The government pursues retrieval of objects taken abroad during the colonial period through various forums, operating on a case-by-case basis while adhering to applicable national and international laws and conventions. The process relies on mutual understanding and cooperation between the concerned countries and governments.
While many museums, art galleries, and private collections around the world house Indian antiquities, no comprehensive inventory of these collections exists. The government initiates action through concerned Indian embassies and missions whenever any illegally exported antiquity of Indian origin is reported on foreign soil, facilitating the retrieval process through diplomatic channels.