New Delhi: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he would “encourage” King Charles III to return the Kohinoor diamond to India, bringing renewed attention to a long-standing historical and political dispute linked to Britain’s colonial past.
The remarks came during King Charles’s visit to New York, where he attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the World Trade Center to honour victims of the 9/11 attacks. While Mamdani was present at the public event, his office clarified in advance that he would not hold a private meeting with the British monarch. “The mayor will not meet privately with King Charles. But the mayor will be at the wreath laying ceremony today,” his press secretary Joe Calvello said in a statement.
According to The Guardian, when asked what he would say if he had a separate interaction with the King, Mamdani stated, “If I was to speak to the king separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.” His comment adds to ongoing global discussions around the restitution of cultural artefacts acquired during colonial rule.
The Kohinoor, a diamond weighing over 100 carats, has been a subject of dispute since it came into British possession in the 19th century. It was formally presented to Queen Victoria in 1850 after the annexation of Punjab by the East India Company. Historical accounts indicate that it was taken from Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was a minor at the time. Today, the diamond forms part of the British Crown Jewels.
India has repeatedly called for the return of the Kohinoor, describing it as a significant cultural artefact with deep historical roots. The diamond’s continued presence in the United Kingdom is widely viewed in India as a reminder of colonial-era extraction and injustice. Over centuries, it has passed through the hands of Mughal emperors, Persian rulers, Afghan leaders, and Sikh royalty before reaching Britain.
During the visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla were accompanied by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg at the memorial site. Despite earlier indications of distance, the British monarch and Mamdani briefly interacted, exchanging greetings and appearing cordial during a short conversation.
Buckingham Palace, The Guardian reported, has not commented on Mamdani’s remarks or the broader issue of returning the Kohinoor diamond. The debate, however, continues to resonate strongly, reflecting enduring questions around historical accountability and cultural restitution.
