New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday that he would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-noor diamond to India if he had the opportunity to meet the British monarch.

Mamdani made the comments during a press conference, stating he would suggest the king "return" the famous gem. The councilman represents a district in Queens.

The Koh-i-noor diamond, weighing 105.6 carats, is considered one of the most famous diamonds in the world. The gem has been part of the British crown jewels since 1849, following the annexation of Punjab by the British Empire in the mid-1800s.

The diamond originally came from alluvial mines in India. India has claimed the diamond was stolen and has repeatedly demanded its return from Britain over the years.

The Koh-i-noor remains a source of diplomatic tension, with the Indian government maintaining that the gem should be returned as it was taken during the colonial period. The diamond is currently housed with other crown jewels in the Tower of London.