Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries

Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries

The Ministry of Culture has signed Cultural Agreements with 127 countries. Thirty six Indian Cultural Centres have been set up abroad. These Centres are a principal instrument of India's institutional cultural outreach abroad and projecting our soft power through a wide range of cultural, academic and intellectual activities, promoting, inter alia, knowledge, information and understanding of various aspects of Indian culture including Indian dance, music, yoga and languages. A total sum of Rs.77.34 crore has been earmarked for these Centres under the overall budgetary provision of ICCR for the financial year 2015-16.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as part of its on-going promotional activities release print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to promote the varied tourism destinations and products of the country including its cuisine. In addition, a series of promotional activities are also undertaken through the India Tourism Offices overseas which include support for the Indian Food Festivals held overseas.

In order to promote Indian cuisine which is an integral component of the Indian Tourism Product, support is being extended to Indian Food Festivals by sponsoring the visits of Indian chefs for the Food Festivals. Such support has been extended for organizing Food Festivals during 2015-16 in Tashkent, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Osaka and Ecuador (Bogota).

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question today in Lok Sabha.