New Delhi: Delhi govt has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to provide local artists and performers with greater international exposure and strengthen cultural, academic and tourism exchanges.Officials said the partnership will create more opportunities for Delhi-based artists and young talent to showcase their work abroad, while bringing foreign artists, scholars and students into closer engagement with the capital. The initiative will also promote Delhi’s heritage, culture and tourism through international collaborations.Under the agreement, the govt will prepare a database of artists from Delhi across fields such as performing arts, literature, sculpture, textiles, architecture, culinary arts and handicrafts. The database will be shared with ICCR to facilitate participation in international cultural programmes.Delhi-based artists will be considered for ICCR’s Horizon Series and international cultural festivals, with Delhi govt identifying and nominating participants.The MoU also provides for greater participation of foreign artists in cultural and tourism festivals organised in Delhi. Joint exhibitions, artist residencies, workshops and seminars involving Indian and international artists are also planned.The collaboration will extend to academic exchanges. Foreign dignitaries and scholars visiting India under ICCR programmes will be hosted in Delhi, while study camps and orientation visits will be organised for international students to promote the capital’s historical and cultural sites. Delhi’s universities and higher educational institutions will also be promoted among ICCR’s international student network.Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the partnership would connect Delhi’s artistic and cultural talent with global platforms while fostering international cultural dialogue.For international cultural groups participating in events in Delhi, the govt will bear operational expenses, while ICCR will facilitate participation and assist with travel and visa-related arrangements.A joint committee comprising ICCR and Delhi govt representatives will prepare an annual activity plan to implement the agreement.
