Division of the Spoils

Ten years ago Britain's glistening pink Head Boy proclaimed that returning stolen property was not the right approach for the master race. One would think that so profound a statement by so substantial a statesman would be the last word on the matter; unfortunately, there remain a few fanatical tribes who have failed to absorb the lessons of history. India's Hindu-nationalist prime minister is agitating for the return of treasures which were brought to the civilised world for safe-keeping, much as sensible and moderate British nationalism has protected the Elgin Marbles from the equal and opposite perils of the colonels' régime and Yanis Varoufakis. Similarly, since there are multiple claims on the ownership of the Koh-i-noor diamond, the master race has thought fit to retain the stone at the monarch's pleasure so as to prevent any unpleasantness. It is to be hoped that the forces of Indian chauvinism will have learned gratitude and humility by the time their nuclear deterrent becomes substantial enough to point at the mainland as well as Pakistan.