Why in News?
The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, stated that the Ministry of Culture is working to strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations through the Global Engagement Scheme (GES). The scheme aims to promote India’s rich civilizational heritage, cultural diversity and contemporary creative traditions across the world.
About the Global Engagement Scheme
- The Global Engagement Scheme (GES) is an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Culture for promoting India’s cultural relations with other countries.
- It seeks to use India’s cultural heritage and diverse traditions as a tool for strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations. Through cultural programmes and exchanges, the scheme also promotes greater people-to-people contact between India and other countries.
- The scheme currently has Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs) with 98 countries, covering areas such as culture, museums, heritage and performing arts.
Major Components of the Scheme
The Global Engagement Scheme has four major components:
- International Cultural Exchange Programme (ICEP)
- Project Mausam
- Brihattar Bharat
- Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India
International Cultural Exchange Programme
The International Cultural Exchange Programme (ICEP) is an important component through which India conducts cultural cooperation with other countries. It includes:
- Festivals of India in foreign countries.
- Cultural exchanges between India and partner countries.
- Deputation of Indian artists and cultural groups abroad.
- Implementation of Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs).
- Cultural Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
- Cooperation in areas such as museums, heritage and performing arts.
Role of ICCR in Cultural Diplomacy
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) plays an important supporting role in India's cultural diplomacy.ICCR is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of External Affairs. It promotes India's cultural heritage and strengthens people-to-people relations through its network of Indian Cultural Centres and cultural programmes abroad. Its activities include:
- Organising cultural and artistic exchanges.
- Hosting foreign artists through international cultural festivals in India.
- Organising visual arts exhibitions.
- Conducting Art Residencies to showcase India's civilizational heritage.
- Organising programmes to commemorate national and international occasions abroad.
- Promoting events such as the International Day of Yoga.
Significance of Cultural Diplomacy
- Building people-to-people connections.
- Promoting India's civilizational heritage and cultural diversity.
- Strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations.
- Creating opportunities for artists and cultural institutions.
- Increasing India's cultural presence and influence globally.
- Encouraging international cooperation in heritage conservation and cultural exchange.
