New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reignited the long-running controversy over the return of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, saying he would urge King Charles III to hand the gem back to India if given the chance.
Speaking ahead of the British monarch’s visit to New York, Mamdani said that while no private meeting was scheduled, he would “probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond” — a remark that quickly drew global attention and revived debates over colonial restitution.
The Koh-i-Noor, a 105.6-carat diamond, remains one of the most contentious artefacts of the British empire. It was taken in the 1840s from the young Sikh ruler Duleep Singh following the annexation of Punjab by the East India Company and later presented to Queen Victoria.
Today, the diamond is part of the British Crown Jewels housed in the Tower of London. India has repeatedly called for its return, arguing that it represents an unjust transfer during colonial rule. The UK has consistently resisted such demands, maintaining that the acquisition was legal under the treaties of the time.
Successive Indian governments have raised the issue diplomatically, particularly during high-profile visits involving British royalty. The Koh-i-Noor has thus become a powerful symbol of broader demands for the repatriation of artefacts taken during colonial rule.
Mamdani’s remarks align with this sentiment, reflecting a growing global push — from Greece’s campaign for the Parthenon Marbles to African nations seeking the return of looted artefacts — to revisit historical ownership.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to Indian-origin parents, has often spoken about the legacy of colonialism shaping his political worldview. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a noted scholar of colonial and post-colonial studies, while his mother, the filmmaker Mira Nair, has explored similar themes in cinema.
Now serving as New York’s first democratic socialist mayor, Mamdani has built a reputation for outspoken positions on international issues, including the Middle East and South Asia.
Despite the strong remarks, Mamdani did not hold a private meeting with King Charles during the visit. The two briefly interacted at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, where the King and Queen Camilla paid their respects. The exchange remained cordial and ceremonial, with no public discussion of the Koh-i-Noor issue.
Mamdani’s intervention highlights how the Koh-i-Noor continues to carry political and emotional weight, particularly in India. At a time when debates over historical justice and restitution are intensifying, even symbolic calls from global leaders can add pressure on institutions holding contested artefacts.
For India, the diamond is not just a gem — it represents a larger question of historical accountability and cultural ownership that remains unresolved decades after independence.