Lisa Nandi, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports, announced that the UK is in discussions with India to secure shared access and benefits from historic artifacts, including the Kohinoor Diamond. This diamond, weighing 105.6 carats, has a rich history, having been acquired by the East India Company from Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s treasury and later presented to Queen Victoria following Punjab’s annexation. It symbolizes British colonial plunder.
“We’ve been talking for a while about how both the UK and India can collaborate to make cultural artifacts from varied periods more accessible,” she noted.
Nandi emphasized her longstanding and deep connection with India, revealing that her visit coincided with the signing of a new cultural cooperation agreement between the two nations.
“From film to fashion to music, the creative industries in both countries are thriving. We export a lot of these products globally, but I believe there’s still more we can achieve together. This partnership model can extend into other creative fields,” she explained.
During her time in India, she also met with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, expressing satisfaction over their bilateral talks, which focused on enhancing collaboration.
She acknowledged Prime Minister Modi’s significant contributions to the Indian creative scene, stating he has shown a strong personal commitment to advancing this sector swiftly.
Nandi also addressed the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, voicing the UK’s solidarity with India against such violence. “Our Prime Minister Kiel is deeply saddened by these events and has sent condolences directly to Prime Minister Modi, expressing sympathy for the victims’ families. The UK has always opposed terrorism and supports India in this struggle,” she remarked.
