The UK’s arts, culture, creative industries, tourism, and sports sectors are set for a major boost thanks to a new cultural cooperation agreement signed with India. This initiative supports the
UK government's Plan for Change, aimed at driving economic growth and fostering global partnerships.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has Indian heritage, is leading a high-profile delegation on a three-day visit to Mumbai and New Delhi. She officially signed the new bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement with India's Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Friday.
Nandy is joined by leaders from VisitBritain, the British Film Institute, and the Science Museum, all working to deepen ties between UK and Indian cultural institutions and creative businesses.
The agreement is expected to strengthen the UK's soft power and open new pathways for UK creative exports to India. It will also encourage joint initiatives between museums, film industries, and other cultural sectors in both countries.
On Thursday, the Culture Secretary addressed the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In her keynote, she highlighted the “living bridge” between the UK and India and praised the strength of the UK's creative sector—a key focus in the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
She also visited Yash Raj Films Studio, a hub for Bollywood productions that are hugely popular with UK audiences. She emphasized the potential for greater collaboration between UK and Indian filmmakers, reflecting both countries’ rich cinematic legacies and shared love for storytelling.
UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said:
“In the arts and creative industries, Britain and India lead the world and I look forward to this agreement opening up fresh opportunities for collaboration, innovation and economic growth for our artists, cultural institutions and creative businesses.
Growing up as a mixed race child with proud Indian heritage, I saw first hand how the UK’s culture - from food, fashion and film to music, sport and literature - is enriched by the unique contribution of the Indian diaspora. It has given me a deep connection to India’s culture and people and it is an honour to be visiting this magnificent country to forge a closer cultural partnership”.
Key events during the visit include:
- A special event at the British Council in Delhi, featuring a preview from India’s Serendipity Arts Festival. The festival will hold a mini-event in Birmingham this May and a major showcase in London next year.
- The launch of the Starring GREAT Britain campaign in India, led by VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, promoting UK tourism through film and TV locations.
- A tour of fashion studios in Delhi’s Okhla area, meeting Indian designers with strong UK connections.
- A meeting with women cricketers at the Sharad Pawar Sports Club, ahead of the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, to be hosted by India.
- An engagement with football coaches involved in the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which supports physical education in Indian primary schools. The Premier League also announced a new office in Mumbai this week.
Nandy’s itinerary also includes meetings with senior Indian government officials, major investors, and business leaders to explore broader opportunities for cultural and economic collaboration.
Actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar said:
“The creative industries are a powerful, enjoyable way to bring people together so I hope this visit further solidifies a mutual appreciation not just of the long established arts of both countries but also the evolving areas of film, music and theatre that are successfully combining artistic traditions from India and the UK to explore and cement what is a unique relationship”.
Film director Gurinder Chadha said:
“As a filmmaker who has spent my career celebrating being British Punjabi and honouring the connections between Britain and India, it is great to see our cultural bonds further strengthened through this new agreement from my friend and colleague Lisa Nandy.
Now we have a real opportunity to unlock exciting new creative opportunities for artists and storytellers to the benefit of both our countries”. Photo by MaryG90, Wikimedia commons.