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In May 2025, the strategic partnership between India and the United Kingdom expanded meaningfully into the cultural realm with the signing of the Programme of Cultural Cooperation (POCC). While the finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement attracted widespread attention, the POCC marks a parallel commitment to fostering cultural exchange, creativity, and mutual understanding.
Programme of Cultural Cooperation (POCC): Key Features
On 2 May 2025, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy, and India’s Culture Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, formalised the POCC. This cultural pact focuses on five thematic areas:
- Digital technologies in culture
- Exhibitions and heritage collections
- Performances and cultural events
- Cultural property protection
- Sustainability in the arts
The agreement aligns with both countries’ strategic visions: advancing the UK’s creative economy and strengthening India’s global cultural presence. It recognises culture as both an economic engine and a diplomatic asset.
The Creative Economy: A Global Growth Driver
The POCC comes amid a global surge in the creative economy, forecast to contribute 10% of global GDP by 2030. This sector includes film, music, gaming, heritage tourism, and digital media—industries that blend economic output with social inclusion and identity.
At the G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023), leaders endorsed the potential of creative industries. India further reinforced this agenda by hosting the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, with strong UK participation.
India’s Cultural Strength and Bilateral Synergies
1. A Unique Blend of Tradition and Innovation
India''s cultural sector, valued at $35 billion, employs nearly 8% of the workforce, second only to agriculture. Notably, many creative hubs lie outside metropolitan centres, highlighting India’s grassroots talent. With thousands of institutions offering degrees in arts and design, and the world’s largest youth population, India is well-positioned to become a global creative leader.
2. Institutional and Technological Collaborations
The POCC facilitates partnerships with key UK cultural bodies such as the British Library, British Museum, and Science Museum Group, offering opportunities for collaborative digitisation, exhibitions, and academic exchange.
UK participation in India’s G20 cultural events, such as Wales in India and contributions to the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, shows the expanding depth of cultural ties. Private sector examples, like Royal Enfield’s Himalayan Project with UNESCO, further demonstrate the synergy of business, sustainability, and heritage conservation.
Challenges and Path Forward
Despite momentum, the sector faces key challenges:
- Lack of skilled workforce
- Inadequate training infrastructure
- Rapid technological changes (AI, AR/VR)
To address this, the British Council has recommended greater integration of emerging technologies into arts education. Initiatives like the POCC can help professionals gain global competencies and adaptability.
Conclusion: A Tri-Sectoral Imperative
To transform India into a global creative hub—as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi—a collaborative effort is required:
- Governments must frame inclusive, forward-looking policies.
- Industry must develop sustainable creative business models.
- Academic institutions must provide interdisciplinary, tech-integrated training.
The POCC is not just a cultural pact but a catalyst for deeper, future-oriented India–UK relations.
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General Studies