United States returns recovered sculptures to India
- 10 years ago
At a ceremony in New York, the U.S. government officially returned three antique sculptures valued at more than $1.5 million to Indian officials.
James Dinkins is with Homeland Security Investigations.
(SOUNDBITE) JAMES DINKINS, EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS, SAYING:
"This case could not have been successful without the great collaboration effort between the United States and India."
Officials on both sides deny the ceremony was timed to improve strained relations between the two countries stemming from a diplomatic argument involving visa fraud and lying charges the U.S. has leveled against an Indian consular official.
India's consul general...
(SOUNDBITE) DNYANESHWAR MULAY, INDIA'S CONSUL GENERAL, SAYING:
"These are two independent events. This has got nothing to do with what you're talking about."
Homeland Security officials say the deities were smuggled into the U.S. by art dealers and retrieved more t
James Dinkins is with Homeland Security Investigations.
(SOUNDBITE) JAMES DINKINS, EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS, SAYING:
"This case could not have been successful without the great collaboration effort between the United States and India."
Officials on both sides deny the ceremony was timed to improve strained relations between the two countries stemming from a diplomatic argument involving visa fraud and lying charges the U.S. has leveled against an Indian consular official.
India's consul general...
(SOUNDBITE) DNYANESHWAR MULAY, INDIA'S CONSUL GENERAL, SAYING:
"These are two independent events. This has got nothing to do with what you're talking about."
Homeland Security officials say the deities were smuggled into the U.S. by art dealers and retrieved more t