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The Union Culture and Tourism Minister told the Lok Sabha that India maintains valid Cultural Exchange Programmes with 98 countries.
These operate under the umbrella Global Engagement Scheme of the Ministry of Culture.
The GES covers the International Cultural Exchange Programme, Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat and the Scheme for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, under the MEA, runs Indian Cultural Centres and scholarship programmes abroad.
Cited challenges include budgetary constraints and institutional fragmentation across ministries.
Cultural diplomacy is the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and arts to build mutual understanding, trust and goodwill between nations. It is the working instrument of soft power — influence built through attraction rather than coercion. The distinction from hard power is the mechanism, not the goal: a state exercising soft power seeks the same advantage but obtains it because others find its culture, values or example appealing rather than because they fear its military or need its market. For India, the raw material is a civilisational heritage, living traditions and contemporary creative industries that require no manufacture, only projection.
Simple Analogy: Being invited in, rather than getting through the door by force or payment.
GS Paper II > International Relations > India's Soft Power and Bilateral Relations
General Awareness > Government Schemes and Culture
General Awareness > International Affairs
The exchange of ideas, values, traditions and arts between nations to build mutual understanding and goodwill.
Non-coercive international influence built through attraction rather than military or economic pressure.
A transnational heritage initiative reconnecting historical maritime and civilisational links across the Indian Ocean rim.
Indian Council for Cultural Relations — functions under the Ministry of External Affairs, running Indian Cultural Centres and scholarships abroad.
The Ministry of Culture's umbrella scheme covering ICEP, Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat and intangible heritage safeguarding.