Modi thanks Australia for returning antiquities of Shiva, Vishnu

As many as 29 antiquities, including on the themes of Lord Shiva and his disciples, Lord Vishnu and the Jain tradition, have been repatriated to India by Australia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected the antiquities on Monday (March 21). These antiquities come from different time periods, with the earliest dating to 9-10 century CE.

“PM @narendramodi inspects the 29 antiquities which have been repatriated to India by Australia. The antiquities range in six broad categories as per themes: Shiva and his disciples, Worshipping Shakti, Lord Vishnu & his forms, Jain tradition, portraits and decorative objects,” the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a tweet.

These are primarily sculptures and paintings executed in a variety of materials – sandstone, marble, bronze, brass and paper.

Representing a large geographical region in India, antiquities are from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.

Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison will hold a virtual summit on Monday.

The Archeological Survey of India said since 2014, 228 antiquities have been returned to India.

“The saga of Cultural Restitution continues. @ASIGoI received 29 antiquities from Australia. Total 13 number of antiquities returned from 1976 – 2013. Total 228 number of antiquities returned from 2014 – till today,” the ASI said in tweet.

Last year, the Centre succeeded in bringing back 157 artefacts and antiquities from the US. PM Modi and US President Joe Biden then committed to working together to keep a tab on thefts, illicit trade and trafficking of cultural objects.