Zohran Mamdani signals blunt message to royals: ‘Return Kohinoor to India’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stirred a sharp debate on colonial legacy, saying he would urge King Charles III to return the Kohinoor diamond if the two were to meet during the British monarch’s visit to the city.

The remark, made at a press conference on Wednesday, comes as King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in New York to attend an event at One World Trade Center marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Mamdani is expected to be present at the event.

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“If I were to speak to the king… I would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond,” Mamdani said, cutting through the usual diplomatic tone that typically defines such engagements.

Kohinoor remark shifts focus from ceremony to colonial history

Interactions between elected leaders and the British Crown are often marked by protocol and symbolism. Mamdani’s comment, however, has pushed a centuries-old dispute into the spotlight, reframing what would otherwise have been a ceremonial engagement.

The Kohinoor diamond, whose name translates to “Mountain of Light”, has long been at the centre of global debates over colonial-era acquisitions. For many in India, it represents not just a prized gem but a reminder of imperial exploitation.

The history behind the Kohinoor dispute

The diamond was mined in India’s Kollur Mine and originally weighed 186 carats before being recut. The diamond did not stay with one ruler for long. It moved from one empire to another, from the Mughals to the Sikhs, before eventually landing in British hands.

In 1849, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, things took a decisive turn. In 1849, just after the war had ended, the British East India Company had 10-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh sign the Treaty of Lahore, a move that led to the Kohinoor being handed over to Queen Victoria.

Today, the 105.6-carat diamond sits in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and is kept at the Tower of London, where it remains one of the most heavily guarded jewels in the royal collection.

The British government has long argued that the diamond was obtained legally through that treaty. But for many, especially in India, the circumstances around that agreement continue to raise uncomfortable questions. Many Indian historians argue that an agreement signed by a child under duress cannot be considered legitimate.

For India, the Kohinoor is often described as an “unreturned asset”, symbolising the broader “drain of wealth” during colonial rule. Mamdani’s remarks echo similar demands from other parts of the world, including Greece’s claim over the Elgin Marbles and African nations seeking the return of the Benin Bronzes.

Royal visit recalls 9/11 legacy

King Charles III’s visit to New York is centred on commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, in which nearly 3,000 people were killed, including 67 British citizens. The monarch had also referred to the milestone during his address to a joint meeting of the US Congress earlier this week.

Against this backdrop, Mamdani’s intervention has ensured that discussions around the visit are not limited to remembrance, but also extend to questions of historical accountability.