Prime Minister Narendra Modi. on a 3-day visit to US - USA returns 200 artefacts worth $100 million to India Monday June 06,2016

The US on Monday June 06,2016 returned over 200 cultural artefacts estimated at $100 million to India at a ceremony in Washinton attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"For some, these artefacts may be measured in monetary terms but for us this is beyond that. It's a part of our culture and heritage," the Prime Minister said at the ceremony held at the Blair House.

Items returned included religious statues, bronzes and terra cotta pieces, some dating back 2,000 years, looted from some of India's most treasured religious sites.

Among the pieces returned is a statue of Saint Manikkavichavakar, a Hindu mystic and poet from the Chola period (circa 850 AD to 1250 AD) stolen from the Sivan Temple in Chennai, which is valued at USD1.5 million

Stolen heritage comes back home