British Prime Minister David Cameron said here Wednesday his country would not hand back to India the 105-carat Kohinoor diamond, one of the world’s largest, that was forcibly taken from India to adorn a royal crown. The diamond, now on display in the Tower of London, had been set in the crown of Queen Elizabeth II’s late mother, who was the consort of George VI, the last King-Emperor of India. Many Indians have over the years demanded the return of the Kohinoor, that was sent from India around 1850 by the then governor-general to be presented to Queen Victoria. When asked if Britain would give the Kohinoor back, Mr Cameron said: “I don’t think that’s the right approach... I certainly don’t believe in ‘returnism’, as it were. I don’t think that’s sensible.” He added: “It’s the same question with the Elgin Marbles,” referring to the classical Greek sculptures that Athens insists be given back. “The right answer is for the British Museum and others... to do exactly what they do... to make sure the things are properly shared with people around the world,” Mr Cameron said.
