Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has engaged in Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs) with other countries to disseminate Indian art and culture, promote India's soft power, and develop intercultural relations. These CEPs cover various areas of arts and culture. Additionally, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed by organizations under the Ministry with cultural organizations of other countries to foster partnership and collaboration.
Key Points / Main Content:
Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs):
* India has signed CEPs with 41 countries to promote Indian art and culture abroad.
* These CEPs aim to develop and promote intercultural relations.
* The CEPs cover areas like music, dance, theatre, museums, libraries, archives, historic monument conservation, literature, and festivals.
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
* MoUs have been signed by organizations under the Ministry of Culture with cultural organizations of other countries.
* These MoUs focus on partnership and collaboration in various areas of arts and culture.
* Specific areas of cooperation are established through these MoUs, detailed in Annexure II.
Specific CEP Agreements by Year:
* 2021: CEPs signed with Russia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan.
* 2022: CEPs/POCs signed with Greece, Turkmenistan, Panama, Denmark, Senegal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Romania, Vietnam, and Thailand.
* 2023: MOUs/CEPs/POCs/EPCC signed with Egypt, South Korea (ROK), Slovak Republic, Colombia, Mauritius, Tanzania, Italy, Belarus, Kenya, Croatia, and Oman.
* 2024: CEPs/PCCs/POCs/MOUs/PCCEs signed with Timor-Leste, Ukraine, Malaysia, Jamaica, Malawi, Kuwait, Mauritania, Spain, Nigeria and Guyana.
* 2025: CEPs/PCEs/PoCs signed with Indonesia, Bolivia, Chile, UK, Angola, Ghana, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Details of MOUs signed by Organizations of Ministry of Culture:
* National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) signed an MoU with the Science Museum Group, London, for professional exchanges and workshops to promote science communication.
* Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata collaborated with the Natural History Museum, London, and British Council for educational activities.
* National School of Drama (NSD) has agreements with institutions in Russia and Poland for faculty/student exchange, workshops, and sharing of academic resources.
* National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) has multiple MOUs with international museums and cultural centers for incoming and outgoing exhibitions.
* National Archives of India (NAI) has agreements with Saudi Arabia and Oman for archival material exchange, joint exhibitions, and expert exchange.
* Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM) supports foreign students in cultural education with institutions in Taiwan, USA and Malaysia.
* Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has agreements with Italy and Egypt for monument protection and preservation. ASI has also an agreement with USA, for preventing the illicit trafficking of Cultural Property.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Culture:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the CEPs and MOUs to promote Indian culture and foster international relations.
* Action Required: Ensure effective execution of signed agreements, monitor progress, and facilitate collaboration between relevant organizations.
Indian Cultural Organizations:
* Impact: Involved in collaborative projects, exhibitions, performances, and exchanges with international counterparts.
* Action Required: Actively participate in CEP and MOU activities, coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, and fulfill obligations outlined in agreements.
International Partner Organizations:
* Impact: Collaborate with Indian organizations to achieve mutual cultural exchange and cooperation goals.
* Action Required: Engage in joint projects, facilitate exchanges, and ensure adherence to the terms of CEPs and MOUs.
Countries with Signed Agreements:
* Impact: Benefit from cultural exchange, enhanced diplomatic relations, and potential economic opportunities.
* Action Required: Support the implementation of CEPs and MOUs, promote cultural understanding, and foster collaboration between respective organizations.
Key Entities Referenced
Russia: Country with which India has a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP).
Ministry of Culture, Government of India: The Indian government ministry responsible for cultural exchange programs and related initiatives.
Cultural Exchange Programmes: Agreements between India and other countries to promote intercultural relations through arts and culture.
Memorandums of Understanding: Agreements signed by Government organizations with cultural Organizations of other countries for partnership and collaboration in different areas of arts and culture.
United Kingdom: Country with which India has signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for cultural exchange and collaboration.
National Museum of Australia: Organization from Australia that has an incoming exhibition under MOU signed with National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).
Archaeological Survey of India: Indian organization involved in creating a network and sharing skills for restoration and protection of Indian Monuments with Italy
National Gallery of Modern Art: Indian organization that has signed various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international museums and cultural centers for exhibitions and art exchange.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 198
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
✝198. Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the number of countries with which India has signed Cultural Exchange Programmes during
the last four years and the current year;
(b) the details of the areas covered under these Cultural Exchange Programmes;
(c) the details of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the Government
organisations with cultural Organisations of other countries; and
(d) the details of the specific areas of cooperation established through these MoUs?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) & (b) Ministry of Culture, Government of India has signed Cultural Exchange Programmes
(CEPs) with 41 countries (as per list attached at Annexure-I) for disseminating Indian art and culture
abroad to promote India’s soft power and for developing and promoting inter-cultural relations
between India and other countries in different areas of arts and culture like music, dance, theatre,
museums & science museums, libraries, archives, protection and conservation of historic monuments
and archaeological sites, literature, research & documentation, festival, anthropology, among others.
(c) & (d) The details of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by different Organizations
under the aegis of Ministry of Culture as per existing CEPs or otherwise with corresponding Cultural
Organizations of other Countries for partnership and collaboration in different areas of arts and
culture along with specific areas of cooperation established through these MoUs are given at Annexure-
II.
******Annexure-I
DETAILS OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES SIGNED WITH OTHER
COUNTRIES DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND THE CURRENT YEAR
2021
SI. Name of the Name of
Period Signed on Enabling clause
No. countries Document
1 Russia CEP 2021-2024 02.12.2021 Valid for 4 Years
2 Serbia CEP 2021-2025 11.10.2021 Valid for 5 Years
3 Uzbekistan CEP 2021-2025 24.09.2021 Valid for 5 Years
2022
SI. Name of the Name of Period Signed on Enabling clause
No countries Document
1 Greece CEP 2022-2026 23.03.2022 Valid Till 31.12.2026
2 Turkmenistan POC 2022-2025 02.04.2022 Valid Till 31.12.2025
3 Panama CEP 2022-2026 29.04.2022 Valid for 4 Years or till a
new CEP signed
4 Denmark CEP 2022-2026 30.04.2022 Valid for 5 Years
5 Senegal CEP 2022-2026 01.06.2022 Valid for 5 years or till a
new CEP signed
6 Kyrgyzstan CEP 2022-2026 11.06.2022
7 Kazakhstan CEP 2022-2025 13.06.2022 Valid Till 31.12.2025
8 Romania CEP 2022-2027 1.07.2022 Valid for 5 years or till a
new CEP signed
9 Vietnam CEP 2022-2025 15.12.2022 Valid Till 31.12.2025
10 Thailand CEP 2022-2027 22.12.2022 Valid till new CEP is signed
2023
SI. Name of the Name of Period Signed on Enabling clause
No. countries Document
1 Egypt MOU 2023-2028 25.01.2023 Valid for 5 Years or till a
new MoU signed
South Korea CEP Till 2026 Valid till new Programme is
2
(ROK) signed
3 Slovak POC 2023-2026 04.03.2023 Valid till 31.12.2026 and
republic thereafter automatically
renewed 3 years.
4 Colombia CEP 2023-2026 26.04.2023 Valid till 31.12.2026,
thereafter automatically
renewed for successiveperiods of 4 years
5 Mauritius POC 2023-2026 06.07.2023 Valid till 31.12.2026
6 Tanzania CEP 2023-2027 09.10.2023 Valid for five year or till
new Programme is signed
7 Italy EPCC 2023-2027 02.11.2023 Valid till 31.12.2027
8 Belarus POC 2023-2025 09.11.2023 Valid for three year or till a
fresh Programme is signed
9 Kenya CEP 2023-2027 05.12.2023 Valid for five years and
thereafter automatically
extend for period of 5 years
10 Croatia CEP 2023-2025 15.12.2023 Valid till 15.12.2025 or new
CEP is signed
11 Oman MoU --- 15.12.2023 Valid for five years and
thereafter automatically
extend for periods of 5 years
2024
SI. Name of the Name of Period Signed on Enabling clause
No. countries Document
Valid for five years or till a
Timor-Leste CEP 2024-2028 10.08.2024
1 fresh Programme is signed
Valid for four years or till a
Ukraine PCC 2024-2028 23.08.2024
2 fresh Programme is signed
Valid for five years and
Malaysia POC ---- 20.08.2024 thereafter automatically
3 extend for periods of 5 years
Valid for five years or until a
Jamaica MoU 2024-2029 30.09.2024
4 fresh MoU is signed
5 Malawi MoU 2024-2029 18.10.2024 Valid for five years
Valid for four years or till a
Kuwait CEP 2025-2029 22.12.2024
6 fresh Programme is signed
Valid for five years or till a
Mauritania CEP 2024-2028 16.10.2024
7 fresh Programme is signed
Valid for four years or till a
Spain CEP 2024-2028 28.10.2024
8 fresh Programme is signed
9 Nigeria PCCE 2024-2029 15.11.2024 Valid for five years
Valid for four years or till a
Guyana CEP 2024-2027 19.11.2024
10 fresh Programme is signed
2025
SI. Name of the Name of Period Signed on Enabling clause
No. countries Document
1 Indonesia CEP 2025-2028 24.01.2025 Valid for four year
Valid till a new Programme
Bolivia PCE 2025-2027 20.03.2025
2. is signedValid for five years or till a
Chile CEP ---- 01.04.2025
3. fresh Programme is signed
4. UK CEP 2025-2030 02.05.2025 Valid for five year
5. Angola CEP 2025-2029 03.05.2025 Valid for four year
Valid for five years or till a
Ghana CEP 2025-2030 02.07.2025
6. fresh Programme is signed
Trinidad &
PoC 2025-2028 04.07.2025 Valid for three years
7. Tobago
******Annexure II
Details of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the organizations of Ministry of Culture,
Government of India with other countries in respective areas of cooperation
S.NO. Name of Indian Name of the Country Area of Cooperation
Organization
1 2 3 4
1. National United Kingdom Professional exchanges/workshops to
Council of promote science communication
Science (signed a Memorandum
Museums of Understanding (MoU)
(NCSM) with the Science Museum
Group, London on
10th September, 2024.)
2. Victoria United Kingdom
Memorial
Hall,Kolkata (with Natural History
Museum, London, and Educational activities
British Council)
2022-23
3.
France
(with Consulate General
of France and Alliance Music performances
francaise du Bengale)
2022-23
4. France Music performances
(with Consulate General
of France and Alliance
francaise du Bengale)
2023-24
5. Japan
(with Consulate General
Drama performance
of Japan in Kolkata)
2023-24
6. France Music performances
(with Consulate General
of France and Alliance
francaise du Bengale)
2024-25
7. Thailand Dance Drama Performance
(with Consulate Generalof Thailand in Kolkata)
8. National School Russia Faculty and student exchange between
of Drama (NSD) both the partner schools.
9. Workshops and master classes by the
Poland experts from both institutions on a
reciprocal basis.
10. France Sharing of academic journals and
research materials related to theatre
studies.
Directing productions by the faculty of
both the institutions on reciprocal basis.
11. National Gallery South Incoming exhibition under MOU
of Modern Art Korea signed between NGMA and Korean
Cultural Centre, Embassy of Korea in
(NGMA)
India
2017
12. China Outgoin exhibition under BRICS
Summit
2017
13. Italy Incoming exhibition under MOU
signed between NGMA and Italian
2018 Cultural Centre, Embassy of Italy in
India.
14. China Outgoing exhibition under MOU
signed between NGMA and
2018 National Museum of China under
BRICS Alliance of Art Museums
and Galleries
15. Israel Incoming exhibition under MOU
signed between NGMA and Petach Tikva
2018 Museum.
16. Australia Incoming exhibition under MOU signed
between NGMA and National Museum
of Australia.
2018
17. Portugal Outgoing exhibition under MOU signed
between NGMA and Fundacao Orient.
2019
18. Italy Outgoing exhibition under agreement
between NGMA and Venice Biennale
2019 Foundation.
19. South Incoming exhibition under MOU signed
Korea between NGMA and Daegue Art
Museum.
2019
20. France Incoming exhibition under MOU signed
between NGMA and Embassy of France
in India.
2020
21. Brazil Incoming exhibition under MOU signed
between NGMA and Embassy of Brazil
2022 in India.
22. Italy Outgoing — Loaning of work/s of art
under MOU between NGMA and
2022Venice Biennale
23. Japan Outgoing exhibition under MOU
signed between NGMA and Fukuoka
2022-2023 Asian Art Museum and with Kobe
City Museum.
24. South Outgoing Loaning of work/s of art
Africa under MOU between NGMA and
Joburg Contemporary
2023 Art Foundation.
25. Japan Outgoing exhibition under MOU signed
between NGMA and Hiroshima
Prefectural Art Museum.
2023
26. Portugal Incoming exhibition under MOU signed
between NGMA and Fundacao Orient.
2023
27. Oman Outgoing under MOU signed between
NGMA and NMO
2023
28. Belgium Incoming under CEP. MOU signed
between NGMA and MOSA
2024
29. Sri Lanka Outgoing digital exhibition
2024
30. China Outgoing digital exhibition
2024
31. Hungary Incoming under CEP. MOU signed
between NGMA and Liszt Institute New
2025
Delhi
32. Belgium Outgoing under CEP. MOU signed
between NGMA and MOSA
2025
33. National Saudi Arabia 1. Identification and exchange of copies
Archives of of archival material of mutual interest;
India (NAI) 2023
34. Oman 2. Holding of joint exhibitions, seminars,
workshops, and international conferences
in the areas of our historical relations and
with National Records
on various aspects of archival studies and
and Archives Authority records management;
(NRAA)
3. Exchange of archival experts in the
fields of Records management,
2025
conservation of manuscripts and
35. Peru documents, digitization, archival storage,
trainings, etc.
2025
36. Qatar
202537. UAE
2024
38. Czech Republic
2024
39. Nava Nalanda Hsuan Chuang Support for foreign students in Indian
Mahvihara
University, Taiwan cultural education
(NNM)
2024
40. Dharma college, Harold Support for foreign students in Indian
Way, Berkeley, U.S.A
cultural education
2025
41. Bodhi Vision Petaling Support for foreign students in Indian
Jaya Selangor Malaysia cultural education
2025
42. Archaeological Italy Creating a Network and sharing skills
Survey of India
for restoration and protection of
(ASI)
Signed among Indian Monuments.
Institute of Technology
Kanpur, CA’ Foscari
University of Venice,
Archaeological Survey of
India and Soprintenenza
Archaeologia, Belle Arti
E Paesaggio, Venice
2020
43. Egypt On Protection and Preservation of
Monuments and Archaeological Sites
Signed between ASI and and Remains.
Supreme Council of
Anitiquities of The Arab
Republic of Egypt
2023
44. USA Preventing the illicit trafficking of
(Cultural Property irreplaceable artifacts
Agreement)
2024
*****