Lok Sabha Question No. 2198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Cultural Diplomacy in China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2198 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.3.2016

## CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN CHINA

2198. SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any major steps have been taken to improve cultural diplomacy with China;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any delegation visited China in the last three years to improve cultural ties with China; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (d) Strengthening of cultural ties between India and China has  formed  an  important  element  of  high  level  visits  between  the two  countries.  During  the  visit  of  Rashtrapati  ji  to  China  in  May 2016, ten MoUs on academic collaboration and exchanges between academic institutions were signed. During the visit of Prime Minister Shri  Narendra  Modi  to  China  in  May  2015,  the  two  sides  signed  a MoU on Educational Exchange Programme to enhance contacts and cooperation in the field of education. MoUs establishing a Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University and a Yoga College at Yunnan Minzu University were also signed during the visit. During the visit of President Xi Jinping to India in September 2014, the two sides  signed  a  MoU  to  enhance  cooperation  between  cultural institutions  of  the  two  countries  to  foster  long-term  collaboration between various cultural institutions like museums, archaeological organizations  and  performing  art  centers.  The  Encyclopaedia  of India-China Cultural Contacts was released in Beijing during the visit of Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari to China in June 2014. A MoU on exhibition  of  'Gupta  Sculpture  and  their  Chinese  Parallels'  was signed  during  the  visit  of  Chinese  Vice  President  Li  Yuanchao  to India in November 2015. The exhibition was inaugurated in Beijing in September 2016 and is currently travelling to other cities in China. Year 2014 was marked as a 'Year of Friendly Exchanges' by the two countries. Several cultural exchanges and activities under 'Glimpses  of  India'  were  organized  in  2014.  Years  2015  and  2016 were  celebrated  as  the  'Visit  India  Year'  in  China  and  the  'Visit China Year' in India respectively. The 'Visit India Year' was launched during  the  visit  of  External  Affairs  Minister  to  China  in  February 2015. A series of promotional activities were carried out throughout the  year  to  boost  tourism  flow  and  strengthen  people-to-people bonds between the two countries. Several events were organised in various  parts  of  China  to  celebrate  the  International  Yoga  Day  in 2015 and 2016. The two countries also have a programme for annual exchange of youth delegations. The youth exchange programme was expanded  in  2015  to  include  200  youths  each  year  from  2015  to 2019. Several cultural events focusing on promoting Indian performing and visual art forms, films, languages, literature, cuisine and culture are organised in China on a regular basis. Several  delegations  of  Indian  artistes,  academics,  scholars and officials visited China during the last three years to strengthen cultural ties with China.

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