The demand for the return of the world-famous Kohinoor diamond to India has once again gained international attention after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he intends to raise the issue with British King Charles III during their meeting. His remarks, made ahead of a formal interaction near the 9/11 Memorial, have reignited a long-standing historical and diplomatic debate over the ownership of the diamond.
According to Mamdani, the issue was not part of the official agenda of the meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. However, he stated that if given an opportunity for a private conversation, he would respectfully urge the British monarch to consider returning the Kohinoor diamond to India. Following the meeting, both sides were seen exchanging greetings and handshakes, though it remains unclear whether the diamond was discussed.
The Kohinoor diamond carries a centuries-old history, having passed through the hands of several rulers including the Mughals, Persians, Afghans, and Sikh emperors. In 1849, the diamond came under British control following the Treaty of Lahore, when the young Maharaja Duleep Singh was compelled to surrender it to the British East India Company.
Currently, the Kohinoor is part of the British Crown Jewels and is displayed at the Tower of London. India has repeatedly demanded its return, describing it as a symbol of colonial-era exploitation and historical injustice. However, the United Kingdom maintains that the acquisition of the diamond was lawful under the terms of the 19th-century treaty.
Mamdani’s latest remarks have once again revived the global debate over the Kohinoor, bringing renewed attention to long-standing calls for restitution of cultural artefacts taken during colonial rule. The issue continues to remain a sensitive point in India-UK historical discourse.