CULTURAL RELATIONS
Cultural Agreements/Cultural Ex- Exchanges in education, arts, science, technology and information are
change Programmes a potent vehicle for inculcating a spirit of international understanding
between peoples and nations. There is an increased recognition among
countries about, the importance of cultural and educational exchanges in
building a stable world community and supporting social and economic deve-
lopment. This makes the role of international cultural cooperation signifi-
cant.
The Ministry has been actively pursuing a policy of cultural relations
with many countries in the world and this forms an essential and valuable
part of India's total international effort. From a mere 21 Cultural Agree-
ments signed with foreign countries until 1970, the number has increased
to 70 at present including 5 agreements signed this year with Ethiopia,
Finland, Maldives, Upper Volta and Yemen Arab Republic. This is a
viable evidence of progress in our external cultural relations. Cultural
agreements help in the establishment of new relationships, strengthening of
old and historic relationships and even for re-orienting the existing relation-
ships.
The Cultural Agreements lay down the broad principles of cooperation
and are implemented through cultural exchange programmes which specify
the details of exchanges. These programmes are formulated and reviewed
every 2-3 years. A sustained effort has been made to develop within the
framework of Cultural Agreements, regular programmes of exchanges with
a number of countries, 39 at present including 16 Cultural Exchange Pro-
grammes signed /renewed this year with Greece, Tunisia, Bangladesh, FRG,
Jordan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Poland, USSR, Vietnam,
Norway, Republic of Korea, France, Cuba, Peoples' Democratic Republic
of Yemen, Finland and Mauritius. In respect of countries with which
regular programmes of cultural exchanges have not so far been evolved,
bilateral cultural relations are maintained on the basis of ad-hoc cultural
activities such as visits of performing troupes, offer of scholarships etc.
Cultural presentations through performing delegations, exhibitions and
exchange of scholars have played an important role in cultural projections
and is creating favourable environment in our over all relations with various
countries. However, our exchange programmes are now exploring new
avenues and are not restricted to the standard pattern of student, teacher,
art exchanges. Many more areas of cooperation viz. sports, mass media,
academic links between institutions of higher learning in India and Abroad,
language study programmes, exchange of specialists, participation in con-
ferences, professional and technical training, archaeology, etc. have been
included. These programmes are proving valuable in providing new dimen-
sions to our international cultural relations.
Goodwill Visits/Official Delegations In the development of cultural relations, goodwill visits at the highest
level have been historically important. During the year, the Education
Minister, Smt. Sheila Kaul led delegations to Ethiopia and Kenya. Cultural
agreement was signed during the visit to Ethiopia where as the programme
in Kenya included discussions with the Minister of Higher Education and
Basic Education on matters of mutual interest. The Deputy Minister of
Education, Shri P. K. Thungon visited Vietnam and during this visit,
Cultural Exchange Programme with Vietnam for 1983-84 was signed. Dele-
gations led by Hungarian Deputy Minister for Culture and Education (H.E.
Dr. Ferenc Ratkai), Greek Minister for Culture and Sciences, (H.E. Mrs.
Melina Mercouri), Egyptian Deputy Education Minister (H.E. Dr. Mansour
Hussain) and Bangladesh Minister of Education (H.E. Dr. A. Majeed
Khan) and Tanzanian Minister of National Education (H.E. Mr. Jackson
M. Makwetta) visited India.
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Besides Ministerial visits, official Indian delegations were sent to (1)
USA under Indo-US Sub-Commission on Education and Culture, (2) FRG
for participation in the 6th Meeting of the Indo-FRG Permanent Committee
and for formulation of a new Cultural Exchange Programme, (3) USSR
for attending the meeting of Indo-USSR Joint Committee for finalisation
of new cultural exchange programmes, (4) Japan, for participation in the
31st International Congress of Human Sciences in Asia and North Africa,
(5) Hong Kong, for participation in the 3rd Conference of Common-
wealth Arts Administrators, and (6) P.D.R. Yemen, for finalisation of
Cultural Exchange Programme.
Official delegations from Belgium, Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, Republic of Korea, France, Cuba and Finland were received for dis-
cussion and finalisation of Cultural Exchange Programmes with these
countries.
While the Ministry develops and coordinates the International Cultural
Policies (including formulation, negotiation and signing of cultural agree-
ments; ministerial and official level visits etc.) the actual implementation
of cultural programmes is handled by the concerned ministries/departments
and other institutions like the University Grants Commission, Indian Council
of Cultural Relations, Archaeological Survey of India etc. which are specia-
lised in handling projects, in their respective fields. This decentralised
operation of cultural programme was continued during the year.
Presentation of Books, Art Objects Books, art objects and essay competitions being important media for
and Essay Competitions promotion and better understanding of life and culture of India, the Ministry
continued to provide funds to the Indian Council of Cultural Relations
for presentation of books and art objects to foreign governments, organisa-
tions, libraries and individuals and for organising essay competitions abroad
through the Indian Missions.
Assistance to Indo-Foreign Friend- The Indo-Foreign Friendship Societies provide useful avenues for the
ship Societies promotion of Indian culture abroad. These societies organise cultural acti-
vities such as lectures, festivals, exhibitions and performances of Indian
artists. Some of these societies also maintain small libraries and reading
rooms. The Ministry has been extending financial assistance to these,
societies on the recommendation of the concerned Indian missions abroad.
The programme was continued during the year.
Besides assistance to these societies, grants were given to a few selected
Indian missions for the encouragement of cultural activities among the local
population of Indian origin.
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