Policy paper

Programme of cultural cooperation between the Government of the Republic of India and His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the years 2025 to 2030

Published 5 June 2025

The Government of the Republic of India and His Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, hereafter referred to as ‘Participant’ and collectively referred to as the ‘Participants’;

• inspired by their mutual desire to strengthen and enhance the friendly relations between their two countries, deepen mutual understanding of their people, and promote cultural cooperation and exchanges;
• recognising that previous agreements in this space between the two countries have been successful and have strengthened UK-India cultural relationships;
• desirous to continue promoting better mutual understanding in the cultural fields,

have agreed as follows:

I. Objectives

• a. to facilitate mutual understanding and support between the peoples of the two countries in the field of arts and culture;
• b. to strengthen and support the diasporic relationship between the two countries in the field of culture, working with diaspora communities and marginalised communities to amplify the cultural links that already exist and to share values for social inclusion, especially including young people and emerging arts sectors for cultural exchange.

II. Areas of cooperation

Enhancing cooperation and exchange between the Participants in the cultural fields, including but not limited to museums, heritage, film, theatre and performing arts, festivals, crafts, music, literature, publishing and translation, visual arts, design, archives and libraries in the following areas;

1. Digital technologies

nurturing and supporting museums, archives, libraries, and galleries with the digitisation of collections and supporting information-sharing initiatives; recognising the benefits and opportunities of new digital technologies, exploring new digital collaborations for the promotion, research, and preservation of culture, endeavouring to encourage such joint projects that will improve understanding of the capabilities of digital to promote culture, and working together to fill gaps in the global digital culture offering;

2. Exhibitions and collections

• (a) jointly encourage such joint projects and displays that will improve museum and library management, curatorial expertise, marketing strategies, communications and media relations, audience outreach and other associated international best practices;

• (b) endeavour to provide technical support and share expertise with each other on core museum and library activities such as curation, conservation, collections and storage management including new digital technologies and online collections;

3. Performances and events

Endeavour to encourage arts and cultural events in the territory of both countries to include works and performances from artists of the other country into their respective programmes including special events and exchange programmes; and the short-term loan of heritage artefacts, particularly during major international cultural events in both countries; and the facilitation of linkages between event organisers and the appropriate cultural authorities in their respective countries;

4. Cultural property

• (a) endeavour to cooperate with each other in the protection of their respective cultural heritage by encouraging the cooperation and exchange of expertise among national conservation institutions, and supporting organisations with conservation skills;
• (b) reiterating commitments made to strengthen the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property, to enable the return of illicitly trafficked cultural property as relevant, and call for sustained dialogue and action in that endeavour, with a view to strengthen cultural diplomacy and intercultural exchanges, consistent with national law and relevant UNESCO Conventions;

5. Sustainability

Promoting sustainability in the cultural arena in the face of global climate change and together support multilateral efforts in this area, as well as strengthening action for the safeguarding and promotion of the world’s cultural diversity embedded in cultural heritage in all its forms;

III. Other areas

And any other areas of cooperation that the participants will agree as appropriate.

IV. Implementation

• a. For the implementation of this Programme of Cultural Cooperation the Participants will designate:
  • i. For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: the British Council Division, High Commission in New Delhi as the main implementing body, with support from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  • ii. For the Republic of India Ministry of Culture and Cultural Centre in Indian Mission in UK
• b. Both Parties will implement the areas of cooperation through the following means:
  • i. reciprocal exchange of officials and experts in various cultural fields;
  • ii. facilitating training programmes, workshops and seminars for and/or exchange programmes for cultural sector professionals and artists from both parties;
  • iii. through organisations listed under ‘organisations’;
  • iv. any other means agreed by the two parties.

V. Organisations

On behalf of the United Kingdom, organisations and institutions may further explore collaborations with Indian national institutions represented by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India as appropriate.

These may include but not be limited to concerned bodies/organisations of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport such as :

• Arts Council England
• British Library
• British Museum
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum Group
• Victoria and Albert Museum

Additionally, other organisations may continue to work to explore cooperation in the field of culture with their counterparts on the other side through networks, partnerships and collaboration.

The British Council will also continue to work with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on cultural connections with India.

VI. Dispute

Any dispute between the Parties arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Programme of Cultural Cooperation shall be settled amicably through consultation or negotiation between the Participants through diplomatic channels.

VII. Amendments

This Programme of Cultural Cooperation may be amended at any time by mutual written consent of the participants. Any such amendments will form an integral part of this Programme of Cultural Cooperation.

VIII. Effect, duration and termination

• a. This Programme of Cultural Cooperation will come into effect on the date of its signing and will continue in effect for a period of five years and may be renewed for another period of five years by written consent of the participants.

• b. Either participant may terminate this Programme of Cultural Cooperation at any time by giving to the other participant written notification through diplomatic channels of its intention to terminate this Programme of Cultural Cooperation six months prior to the intended date of its termination.

• c. The termination of this Programme of Cultural Cooperation will not affect the completion of ongoing programmes or projects under the Programme of Cultural Cooperation, unless jointly decided otherwise by the participants.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised by their respective governments, have signed this Programme of Cultural Cooperation

Signed in New Delhi on Friday 2 May 2025 in two originals in Hindi and English languages, with both texts being equally authentic. In the event of any divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

For the Government of the Republic of India

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Minister of Culture

For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Lisa Nandy

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport