In a landmark move, the United States has returned 657 stolen artefacts to India, with a total value of approximately ₹120 crore (around $14.5 million USD). The artefacts were handed over by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York, with Indian Consul General Binaya Pradhan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg present. The items had been smuggled out of India over several years by an international trafficking network led by Subhash Kapoor. Among the notable artefacts is a bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, valued at ₹16-17 crore (about $2 million USD), stolen from a museum in Raipur in 1982. Another significant piece is a red sandstone statue of Lord Buddha, valued at around ₹63 crore. The collection also includes a “dancing Ganesha” idol, stolen in 2000 from a temple in Madhya Pradesh, which was traced back to an auction attempt in New York in 2012. The return of these artefacts marks a crucial step in countering international art trafficking and restoring cultural heritage to its rightful place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed satisfaction over this development, emphasizing its importance for India's cultural preservation.