#NewDelhi : Government of India’s and PM Narendra Modi effort to bring back ‘Kohinoor’ diamond from the United Kingdom (UK ), Minister of Asia and Pacific affairs Alok Sharma on Wednesday said his government does not believe that “there is any legal ground” for restitution of the diamond.“It is a longstanding position of the U.K. Government that we don’t believe that there is any legal ground for restitution of diamond,” said Sharma, the first British Minister to visit India since Brexit.
After the subjugation of Punjab in 1849 by the British forces, the properties of the Sikh Empire were confiscated and the Kohinoor was also transferred to the treasury of the British East India Company in Lahore.
Later, the diamond was shipped to Britain and was handed to Queen Victoria in July 1850. It was cut to improve its brilliance and was mounted into Queen Victoria’s crown. The diamond now sits in the tower of London along with along with the Crown Jewels.
The Narendra Modi NDA government is planning to bring back the Kohinoor through diplomatic channels, rather than opting for the legal route, reports said on Wednesday.
The government is expected to file a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court, which would reiterate India’s resolve to bring back the Kohinoor, reports said.
The NDA Government will submit a new affidavit in the apex court before August 15.
Kohinoor, one of the world’s largest diamonds, is currently set in a royal crown on display in the Tower of London.
The people of India have been demanding the return of the 105-carat diamond, which the British Government rejected in 2013.
Bureau Report
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