“We can be a voice at that table for others nations facing these issues.” Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary of India’s Ministry of Culturee, and its cultural lead for the G20, told the Telegraph: “We would seek a consensus between the nations, and as the G20 is the most influential forum, to achieve tangible outcomes. Officials in New Delhi have indicted that India wants to take a global lead on the restitution of historical artefacts, and is prepared to be a voice for nations who are campaigning for cultural returns, potentially starting an “avalanche” of successful repatriations. India has the presidency of the G20 this year, and the Telegraph understands that during summits scheduled for September, officials plan to cajole fellow member-states to sign up to an agreement supporting the return of historical artefacts to their places of origin.Īthens has so far been frustrated in its efforts to prise the Marbles from the British Museum, but an international commitment to repatriation from leading world powers could bolster the cause of Greece as it seeks to reunite the artworks taken by Lord Elgin in the 19th century. India plans to be a voice for countries who have been “on the receiving end of colonial appropriation”, and will press major economic powers to do likewise, in a diplomatic shift which could put increased pressure on the UK and institutions already bogged down in rows over artefacts acquired in the days of empire. The Telegraph revealed that New Delhi is preparing a long-term campaign to reclaim artefacts including the Koh-i-Noor from Britain, but diplomatic weight will also be thrown behind the repatriation efforts of other nations.

India may become a powerful ally in Greece’s fight for the Elgin Marbles as part of foreign policy plans to support victims of “colonial appropriation”.

Ally condie