NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Urges King Charles to Return Kohinoor Diamond to India

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he would urge Britain’s King Charles III to return the Kohinoor diamond to India if given a private opportunity to discuss the matter. Mamdani made the remarks during a press conference ahead of a wreath-laying ceremony at the September 11 Memorial. His comments came as King Charles and Queen Camilla continued their four-day state visit to the United States.

The mayor stated that while the issue was not part of the official agenda surrounding the royal visit, he would personally raise it if the chance arose. Mamdani, who is of Indian origin, said he would encourage the British monarch to support the return of the historic gem. The remarks quickly drew attention as debates over colonial-era artefacts and restitution continue globally.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in New York after engagements in Washington, D.C., including a state dinner and meetings with senior American officials. During their visit to New York, the royal couple paid tribute to victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Mamdani later joined the king at the memorial ceremony, where dignitaries gathered to honour those who lost their lives.

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The Kohinoor diamond remains one of the most debated symbols of colonial-era acquisitions. The 105.6-carat gem passed through several South Asian dynasties before coming under British control in 1849 during the period of the East India Company. Its transfer followed the Treaty of Lahore, signed after the annexation of Punjab, under circumstances historians and campaigners have long scrutinised.

Today, the diamond forms part of the British Crown Jewels and is housed in the Tower of London. India has repeatedly sought its return, arguing that the gem was taken during British rule. Calls for repatriation have resurfaced periodically alongside broader international demands for the return of culturally significant objects held in European institutions.

Mamdani’s remarks add a fresh political voice to a long-running diplomatic and historical issue. While there has been no indication that the British royal household intends to revisit the status of the Kohinoor, public discussion around restitution has grown stronger in recent years. The comments also highlight how historical disputes continue to intersect with modern diplomacy and identity politics.

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