In pics: From bronze Ganesh to Bahubali, US returns stolen artefacts to India

From a bronze Ganesh to a Jain figure of Bahubali, the US has returned more than 200 pieces of rare cultural artefacts to India during the visit of Prime Minister

From a bronze Ganesh to a Jain figure of Bahubali, the US has returned more than 200 pieces of rare cultural artefacts to India during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits beside the statue Khajuraho, 12th century, made from red sandstone, during a ceremony marking the repatriation of over 200 artifacts to the Indian government, at Blair House in Washington, Monday, June 6, 2016. (AP)

From a bronze Ganesh to a Jain figure of Bahubali, here are pics of some of the returned cultural artefacts (Vikas Swarup’s Twitter account)

PM Modi at the ceremony for return of idols with US Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch.

Modi expressed his gratitude for the return of the ancient artefacts during a ceremony on Monday night here.

“We are very grateful for government of the US and the President for returning a part of our culture. This heritage inspires us for the future,” he said.

During her address at ceremony of Repatriation of Cultural Property, US Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said: “Today (Monday) we begin the process of returning more than 200 stolen cultural objects back to India.”

Attorney General Lorreta Lynch and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi look at the statue Khajuraho, 12th century, made from red sandstone, during a ceremony marking the repatriation of over 200 artifacts to the Indian government, in Washington. (AP)

Earlier, Modi paid tribute to the US space scientists who lost their lives during their research in space at the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial and also laid a wreath at Arlington Cemetery (Washington DC), the tomb of US soldiers killed during conflicts.

During his visit to Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial, Modi met NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and the family of Kalpana Chawla, Indo-American astronaut, and invited them to visit India.

Narendra Modi, right, with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, right of Modi, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington. (AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, left, and, Maj. Gen. Bradley Becker, right, arrive to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington. (AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands with member of the Indian community in Washington upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. (AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by Indian high commissioner to USA, Arun Singh on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews (JBA) in Washington DC. (PTI)

Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews (JBA), in Washington DC, USA on Monday. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the Indian community people on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews (JBA), in Washington D.C., USA on Monday. (PTI)

Modi arrived in Washington on Monday on a three-day visit, during which he will hold talks with President Barack Obama to review bilateral ties and address a joint session of the US Congress.

This is the Prime Minister’s fourth visit to the US in the last two years.