FORMULATION OF NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The Ministry of Culture’s Global Engagement Scheme (GES) is the umbrella programme for India’s cultural diplomacy, aiming to showcase the nation’s civilisational heritage, cultural diversity and contemporary creative traditions through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. GES has four components – International Cultural Exchange Programme (ICEP), Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat and the Scheme for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Under ICEP, the Ministry runs Festivals of India, artist deputations and Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs) with 98 countries, and engages in multilateral cultural forums such as BRICS, G20, SCO and BIMSTEC. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs, complements GES by operating Indian Cultural Centres abroad and organising international festivals, exhibitions and residencies.