UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy met with Indian Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on Friday, where the two countries signed a new cultural cooperation agreement during her visit to India.
Kohinoor Diamond: UK Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, visited India this week, meeting with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. A new cultural cooperation agreement was signed between the two nations. She also addressed the ongoing demand for the return of the Kohinoor diamond.
UK-India Cultural Cooperation
During Nandy's visit, a new cultural cooperation agreement was signed, aiming to foster greater exchange between the two countries through art and cultural heritage. This agreement will pave the way for a long-term partnership in the field of arts and culture.
Key aspects of the agreement include museum collaboration, heritage preservation, and the digitization of collections. This initiative will connect cultural institutions from both countries, facilitating the sharing of best practices.
Kohinoor Diamond: The UK's Response
Responding to the persistent calls for the return of the Kohinoor diamond, Minister Nandy stated that discussions between the UK and India on this issue are ongoing. She also highlighted the UK's cooperation with India to ensure shared access to cultural artifacts.
She explained, "We've been talking for a long time about how we can increase the exchange of cultural heritage between our two countries. We see this as a joint endeavor, so that people in the UK and India can benefit from cultural artifacts from different eras."
A New Dimension to Bilateral Cultural Relations
Nandy also stated that the UK Science Museum Group and India's National Museum will collaborate to maximize access to cultural artifacts for citizens of both nations. This partnership will strengthen cultural ties through joint collaborations, exhibitions, and exchanges.
The UK-India cultural cooperation program will undertake several initiatives, including enhancing museum collaboration and promoting the digitization of collections. Furthermore, the program will increase bilateral cultural exchange between the two nations through art and heritage.
Indian Response on the Kohinoor Diamond
The Kohinoor diamond, acquired by Britain in the 19th century, remains a sensitive issue for Indians. The Indian government and citizens have consistently demanded its repatriation. However, Minister Nandy's statement clarifies that discussions are ongoing, but no concrete decision has been reached.
