India’s Global Engagement Scheme is being used by the Ministry of Culture to project India’s cultural identity internationally, strengthen cultural ties with foreign countries and support inbound tourism. The scheme also helps expand bilateral cultural contacts through festivals, performances and institutional cooperation. It operates through three components and is implemented largely through Indian Missions abroad.
Scheme Objectives
The Global Engagement Scheme aims to increase India’s cultural visibility on the world stage. Its main objectives are:
- Strengthening cultural relations with foreign nations.
- Promoting bilateral cultural exchanges.
- Showcasing India’s cultural heritage abroad.
- Encouraging tourism through cultural diplomacy.
Three Components of the Scheme
The scheme has three components:
- Festival of India (FoI) Grant
- Grant-in-aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies
- Contributions to inter-governmental organisations
Components I and II are administered through Indian Missions abroad. These missions help organise cultural events and coordinate participation by Indian artists and groups.
Festival of India Abroad
Under the scheme, the Ministry of Culture empanels artists and groups from different art forms. Selected performers are invited from this list for Festivals of India held in other countries. At present, 627 artists and groups are empanelled, including 119 in folk arts. So far, 62 Festivals of India have been held in various countries. Indian folk arts and culture have been showcased in countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Laos, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Nauru, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, Turkmenistan, Hungary, Denmark, Japan, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, Qatar, Croatia, Kuwait and France.
Participation and Policy Relevance
A total of 2,348 artists have participated in these festivals up to July 2025. The scheme is currently valid for the 15th Finance Commission cycle. It is for competitive exams because it links cultural diplomacy, soft power, overseas Indian cultural outreach and the role of Indian Missions in external cultural engagement.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026