New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would encourage King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India [1].
The statement highlights a growing international movement to repatriate artifacts taken during colonial rule. By using his platform as the mayor of the world's most populous city, Mamdani is amplifying a long-standing diplomatic dispute between India and the United Kingdom.
Mamdani said the comments on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 [2], during a press briefing held in New York City [3]. The briefing took place ahead of a commemoration event for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks [3].
The mayor said that the diamond was taken from India during colonial rule and should be returned to its country of origin [4]. He said that he would raise the issue if given the opportunity to speak with the monarch privately.
"I would probably encourage the King to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond," Mamdani said [5].
In a separate statement regarding a potential private meeting, Mamdani said, "If I were to speak with King Charles separately, I would ask him to return the Koh-i-Noor to India" [6].
While the mayor expressed his intent to encourage the return of the gem, it remains unclear if he raised the specific issue with King Charles during their scheduled interactions in the city [7]. The Koh-i-Noor remains one of the most contested jewels in the British Crown Jewels, symbolizing the complex history of the British Empire in South Asia.
“"I would probably encourage the King to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond."”
This request by Mayor Mamdani reflects the broader geopolitical shift toward 'decolonizing' museums and royal collections. While a city mayor lacks the formal diplomatic authority to negotiate international treaties, such public statements put moral pressure on the British monarchy and align New York's leadership with global calls for the restitution of cultural heritage.
