New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) said he would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India [1].

The statement brings a long-standing colonial dispute into the spotlight as the British monarch visits the U.S. The diamond remains a symbol of historic tension between India and the United Kingdom.

Speaking during a press conference on April 29, 2026 [2], Mamdani addressed the potential for a meeting with the King. The mayor said he would use the opportunity to advocate for the repatriation of the gemstone, which was taken from India during colonial rule [3].

"I would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India," Mamdani said [4].

The Koh-i-Noor is a 105.6-carat diamond [5]. It was given to Queen Victoria in 1849 [6]. Since then, it has been part of the British Crown Jewels, though India has frequently called for its return.

Mamdani said his request would be contingent on the setting of the interaction. "I would urge the King to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India if we had a private audience," he said [7].

Other reports suggest the mayor intended to raise the demand specifically ahead of the royal visit to New York [8]. Mamdani said that if he were to speak to the king, he would "probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond" [9].

The mayor's comments highlight the ongoing global debate regarding the return of cultural artifacts acquired through imperialism. While the British monarchy has historically resisted returning the stone, the public call from a major U.S. city's leader adds a new diplomatic layer to the dispute.

“"I would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India."”

Mamdani's comments reflect a growing trend of local and national leaders using diplomatic platforms to challenge the legitimacy of colonial-era acquisitions. By framing the request around a potential private audience with King Charles III, the mayor is leveraging the visibility of a royal visit to pressure the UK government on a sensitive issue of cultural restitution and national identity for India.