New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India [1, 2].
The statement highlights a long-standing diplomatic tension between India and the United Kingdom over colonial-era artifacts. The diamond remains one of the most contested objects in the British Crown Jewels, representing a broader global debate on the repatriation of looted art.
During a press conference on April 29, 2026 [2, 4], Mamdani said he might meet the monarch during a royal visit to the city. He said that he might raise the issue during a 9/11 memorial event or other official gatherings [2, 3].
"If I was to speak to the king … I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond," Mamdani said [2]. In another statement, he said, "If I get a chance to speak with King Charles, I will tell him to return the Koh-i-Noor to India" [3].
The Koh-i-Noor diamond weighs 105.6 carats [5]. India maintains that the jewel was stolen during the 1849 annexation of Punjab [6]. The diamond was given to Queen Victoria in 1849 [6], and India has repeatedly demanded its return since then [1, 6].
While some reports suggest Mamdani has already met with the King, other accounts indicate he is merely preparing a message for a potential encounter [3]. The mayor's comments coincide with the royal party's presence in the U.S., though the press conference where he made the remarks was not officially related to the royal visit [2, 3].
“"If I get a chance to speak with King Charles, I will tell him to return the Koh-i-Noor to India."”
Mamdani's comments leverage the visibility of a royal visit to amplify a geopolitical grievance. By advocating for the return of the Koh-i-Noor, the NYC Mayor aligns himself with the movement for colonial reparations, potentially signaling a shift in how local U.S. officials engage with international heritage disputes.
