The May United Kingdom-India was a month of magical bonanza for relationships. The long -existed free trade agreement was confirmed by the two Prime Ministers, and it was another milestone that illuminated a different but equally important dimension of their partnership: Culture.
On 2 May, UK Secretary State Culture, RT Honorable Lisa Nandi, and India’s Culture Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat signed the program of Cultural Cooperation (POCC). This historical agreement promises to lighten the cultural corridor between the two countries, which confirms their shared creative spirit.
POCC designs five program areas: Digital technologies for culture, exhibitions and collections, performances and events, cultural property and stability. These topics directly support the creative economy, a main sector that is running the UK government’s industrial strategy. The agreement indicates a shared commitment for cross-cultural cooperation and economic development.
Before reaching Delhi to sign POCC, Ms. Nandi, the first Labor Cabinet Minister of the Indian heritage, was the highest ranked international representative at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (Waves) Summit held in Mumbai. In his keynote speaker, he powerfully highlighted the ally of the Indo-UK cultural and creative industries, which is a sustainable and an employment multiplier by nature.
Creative art field growth
Globally, the creative art sector is growing rapidly, it is estimated to reach 10% of global GDP by 2030. At the summit of G20 New Delhi leaders in 2023, global leaders unanimously called for maximum investment in the region. India, which hosted India for the first time, underlined its commitment, resulting in important vocational deals and international agreements.
POCC between India and the UK makes this speed. It brings simultaneous UK Cultural Institutions – Arts Council, along with the British Council for the Ministry of Indian Culture, Government of Digital, Culture, Media and British Council in India and British Council for the British Council in India, including the Arts Council England, British Library, British Museum, The Natural History Museum and Science Museum Group. With more than 1,700 recognized museums in the UK, the scope of partnership with its Indian counterparts is tremendous, especially around taking advantage of digital technology to share cultural experiences and heritage.
At its core, POCC Signal Hope: The Creative Economy can promote a more inclusive future, including technical materials such as gaming, digital materials, films, OTT, television and more can be included-create opportunities for efficient workers and innovators.
This is very good news for India. With its deep cultural heritage, state -of -the -art technology, skilled artisan base and the world’s largest youth population, India is deployed to lead uniquely. India’s creative economy, which costs $ 35 billion, is about 8% of its workforce, which is the second only after agriculture. According to the Asian Development Bank Report (2022), ‘Creative India: Tapping the Full Potential’, six out of India’s top 10 creative hubs are in Tiruppur areas in Tamil Nadu to Tamil Nadu in-Jammu and Kashmir. This reflects India’s diverse cultural heritage. India is nurturing a global creative workforce, providing courses in design, art and architecture with over 300 universities and 3,000 colleges.
A role for the UK
In 2023, during India’s G20 President’s post, the UK played an important role in supporting the cultural agenda. Artistic participation, creative project grant, and a year-long cultural exchange in India, which ended at the 2024 Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, extended the agenda bilaterally, which re-define the cultural relations of India and UK.
Why does this global participation matter so much?
First, the creative economy is growing rapidly. It faces challenges including lack of efficient labor. To complete this, we need a continuous investment in education, vocational training and training. International cooperation can help empower creative professionals with global competencies and best practices.
Second, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and promoted reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) are changing the region. Recent reports of the British Council, in art and technologies in India: Re -adding future arguments, it is time to integrate it in India’s creative education structure. Cultural exchange and cross -border participation can support professionals in navigating this digital shift.
India’s creative canvas is expanding, powered by cultural wealth, youth capacity and a bold vision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers India as a global creative center-and with a three-dimensional approach focused on education, skills and international cooperation, we are on our way. But to make that vision a reality, there will be a need for continuous cooperation between the government, industry and academics.
Business and projects
Indian companies are also doing their work. Royal Enfield, reputed UK-India motorcycle brand, which is working in the Himalayas through its social mission. In partnership with UNESCO, it is helping to protect abstract cultural heritage and work with more than 580 artisans through its textile conservation project, Himalayan Not. This initiative not only preserves permanent textile traditions, but also creates new market linkage for craft communities. Ms. Nandi heard the first hand at the reception hosted in honor of the British High Commissioner Lindi Cameron and the author in Delhi, where Birmingham Chapter of Srendipity Arts Festival was also launched – a moving reminiscent of how business storytellers can also be.
What really ties Britain and India together, their people and their stories. In a world with conflict and uncertainty, culture and creativity is one of the most time-tested therapies of relations between people and nations. And in that, we have every reason to celebrate and invest – creative sparks that unite us.
Alison Barrett, MBE, country director in British Council is India
Published – June 21, 2025 12:08 am IST