US-India Cultural Property Agreement: Preserving Heritage

The first-ever Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) between the U.S. and India was signed on July 26, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The agreement aims to restore cultural items rightfully belonging to India,

Agreement Signing and Significance

First-ever Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) between the U.S. and India
Signed on July 26, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Signatories: U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti and Indian Culture Secretary Govind Mohan
Witnessed by Indian Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Culmination of nearly two years of expert negotiations
Fulfills commitment made by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi in June 2023
India joins 29 other U.S. bilateral cultural property agreement partners
Aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention on cultural property protection

Objectives and Scope of the Agreement

Primary goals:

a) Justice: Returning cultural items rightfully belonging to India

b) Cultural exchange: Promoting global understanding of Indian culture

Combats illicit trafficking of Indian antiquities to the USA
Restricts importation of specific archaeological and ethnological materials to the USA
Covers items from 1.7 million years ago to 1947 CE
Facilitates repatriation of seized materials to India
Simplifies the process of returning looted and stolen antiquities
Enhances cooperation in protecting cultural heritage

Context and Impact

Historical Context:

India has repatriated 358 antiquities since 1976, with 345 returned since 2014
Aligns with India's G20 presidency focus on 'Protection and Promotion of Cultural Property'
Part of India's broader cultural diplomacy strategy

International Impact:

Demonstrates U.S. commitment to worldwide cultural heritage protection
Enhances bilateral cooperation for swift recovery of Indian artifacts from the USA
Supports global efforts to combat illegal trade in cultural property

Exhibition and Public Engagement:

"Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures" exhibition at Bharat Mandapam
Showcases 25 repatriated Indian objects
Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay
Addresses global repatriation issues and impacts of illicit trafficking
Open to the public during the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting

Ambassador Garcetti's Statement:

Emphasized the agreement's importance for justice and cultural understanding
Highlighted the significance of connecting India with the world through its culture
Congratulated India on hosting UNESCO's 46th World Heritage Committee session

Rwanda-Congo Peace Deal

In a major diplomatic development, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed the historic Rwanda-Congo peace deal in 2025. This US-brokered peace agreement aims to end deca

India Rejects SCO Joint Statement

India rejects SCO joint statement – this powerful decision echoed globally after India’s Defence Minister refused to sign the final declaration at the SCO 2025 Summit in Qingdao, China

Unsafe Generic Chemotherapy Drugs

Recent investigations have uncovered serious quality issues in generic chemotherapy drugs used for cancer treatment across more than 100 countries. This has raised alarms over the safety, effe

NATO Defence Spending 2025

The NATO defence spending 2025 summit has marked a historic turning point in the alliance’s approach to global defence and military funding. Under the leadership of former U.S. President

Operation Bashayer Al-Fath

On June 23, 2025, the Middle East witnessed a major escalation as Iran launched Operation Bashayer Al-Fath, a powerful missile assault targeting the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This developm

GENIUS Act 2025 Highlights

The GENIUS Act 2025, passed by the US Senate in June 2025, represents a significant legislative step in cryptocurrency regulation, with a widespread impact on stablecoins, digi

US-Iran Nuclear Conflict 2025

On June 22, 2025, the United States launched targeted airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz—escalating what is now widely recognized as the U

Iran Uranium Enrichment

The ongoing tension between Iran, Israel, and the United States has taken a serious turn, primarily due to Iran's uranium enrichment issue. The situation surrounding Iran’s Fordow nuclea

Yeztugo HIV Injection

In a historic development in the fight against HIV, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved Yeztugo HIV injection—a revolutionary drug for the long-acting preven

EU Russian Gas Imports Ban

EU Russian gas imports have been a cornerstone of Europe's energy infrastructure for decades. However, following the Russia-Ukraine energy conflict that began with Russia's invasion of