NEW DELHI, March 21, 2022 (Indian Express): Ahead of the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Monday afternoon, Australia announced the return of 29 antiquities to India. These correspond to six broad themes – Shiva and his disciples (4), worshiping Shakti (11), Lord Vishnu and his forms (13), Jain tradition (19), portraits (22) and 28 decorative objects. The antiquities come from different time periods, with the earliest ones dating back to the 9th or 10th century. The repatriated works include 13 works of art connected to art dealer Subhash Kapoor through Art of the Past, 12 paintings and photographs given by the American Friends of the National Gallery of Australia, three sculptures acquired by the National Gallery of Australia in 1969 and another one acquired from art dealer William Wolff in 1989.
On Monday morning, PM Modi inspected the antiquities and thanked his Australian counterpart for taking the initiative to return the antiquities. PM Modi tweeted: “I would like to especially thank you for taking the initiative to return ancient Indian artifacts. Among them are hundreds of years old statues and pictures illegally removed from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh along with many other Indian states.” Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell also tweeted about the development: “During the year of India’s 75th anniversary of Independence, Australia worked with the @NatGalleryAus (National Gallery of Australia) to return 29 culturally significant artifacts to the Indian Gov & people of India on 6 March.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ahead-modi-morrison-summit-australia-returns-29-antiquities-india-7829648/