New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that he will ask King Charles, currently on an official visit to the United States (US), to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India.
Responding to a question at a news conference on Wednesday, ahead of the 9/11 ceremony, the Democratic Party socialist mayor said that if he spoke to King Charles privately, he would “probably ask him to return the Kohinoor diamond.”
The diamond was taken during British colonial rule in India, which later gained independence and was divided into India and Pakistan.
The diamond has been a major bone of contention between the United Kingdom and India; However, Iran and Pakistan have also claimed the stone.
A spokesperson for the royal family declined to respond to Mamdani’s statement.
Mamdani will welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla for a September 11 ceremony on Wednesday.
When asked about a particular message he would like to send to the British royal family, the New York City mayor said, “I will be attending a wreath laying alongside other elected officials, including Governor Hochul and Governor Sherrill.”
He continued: “The goal of that wreath is to honor the more than 3,000 New Yorkers who died in the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11. And that’s really what I’m looking to do at that event.”
