NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
NEW YORK, NY, May 1, 2026: Zohran Mamdani, the Indian American mayor of New York City, stirred fresh debate over colonial-era restitution this week after saying he would encourage King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor to India if given the opportunity to speak with him privately.
Speaking at a press conference on April 29, hours before attending a ceremony honoring victims of the September 11 attacks, Mamdani said, “If I were to speak to the king separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond.” Reuters reported that Mamdani made the remarks as King Charles continued his official visit to the United States.
Later that day, Mamdani and King Charles briefly interacted during a wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, and it remains unclear whether the issue of the diamond was raised during their private exchange.
The Koh-i-Noor, a 105.6-carat diamond now housed in the British Crown Jewels, remains one of the most contested artifacts of the colonial era. The diamond came under British control after the annexation of Punjab by the East India Company in 1849 and was presented to Queen Victoria the following year.
India has repeatedly sought the return of the diamond since independence in 1947, viewing it as a symbol of colonial exploitation. Pakistan and Afghanistan have also made historical claims to the gem.
Mamdani, who took office as New York’s 112th mayor in January, has often spoken about the lasting impact of colonialism and historical injustice. His latest remarks quickly drew attention across Indian and diaspora communities, reigniting a longstanding global debate over whether imperial-era treasures should be returned to their countries of origin.
