About ICCR

• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. 
• Its objectives are to: 
  • actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to India’s external cultural relations; 
  • to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries; 
  • to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people, and 
  • to develop relations with nations.

• The Council addresses its mandate of cultural diplomacy through a broad range of activities. In addition to organising cultural festivals in India and overseas, the ICCR financially supports a number of cultural institutions across India, and sponsors individual performers in dance, music, photography, theatre, and the visual arts. 
• The ICCR Headquarter is situated in New Delhi.