Australia to proactively return stolen Indian artefacts, minister says
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Australia will proactively return stolen Indian cultural artefacts instead of waiting for formal requests from New Delhi, Home Affairs and Arts Minister Tony Burke has said, describing the retention of unlawfully acquired items as "theft."
Speaking to NDTV, Burke said Australia has a responsibility to identify and return artefacts held illegally in its museums. "We shouldn't be waiting for the requests. We need to be on the front foot organising the return," he said.
"There should be no country in the world that views theft as acceptable. If you've got something that wasn't lawfully acquired, keeping it is theft," Burke added, citing the earlier return of a Shiva idol by the National Gallery of Australia as an example of the same principle.
His remarks came days after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the return of several significant Indian artefacts during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.
Burke said returning cultural objects reflects the trust and friendship between India and Australia and should be seen as part of a broader bilateral relationship rather than a one-time diplomatic gesture.