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