The United Kingdom and India have signed a landmark Cultural Cooperation Agreement aimed at deepening economic and cultural ties between the two nations, with significant benefits expected for the UK’s arts, creative industries, tourism, and sports sectors.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, currently on a three-day official visit to Mumbai and New Delhi, signed the agreement on Friday with India’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The deal marks a key milestone in the UK government's Plan for Change, designed to stimulate growth and international collaboration.
Accompanied by representatives from VisitBritain, the British Film Institute, and the Science Museum, Nandy’s delegation aims to promote stronger partnerships between British and Indian cultural institutions and creative enterprises. The agreement is expected to increase UK creative exports and enhance soft power by fostering connections between museums, artists, and innovators on both sides.
Nandy delivered a keynote speech at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, where she spoke alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In her address, she highlighted the “living bridge” between the UK and India, celebrating the longstanding cultural exchange and mutual appreciation between the two countries.
Her itinerary also included a visit to the iconic Yash Raj Films Studio, underscoring the shared cinematic heritage of both nations and her desire to promote greater collaboration between Bollywood and the UK film industry.
“This agreement opens up fresh opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth,” Nandy said. “Growing up with proud Indian heritage, I’ve seen how the UK’s culture is enriched by the Indian diaspora—from food and fashion to literature and sport. It’s an honour to visit India and help forge an even closer partnership.”
Friday evening saw the Culture Secretary attend a British Council event in Delhi, previewing performances from the Serendipity Arts Festival. The festival is set to bring a mini-edition to Birmingham in May and a major showcase to London next year. At the same event, VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates launched the ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ campaign, aimed at attracting Indian tourists by highlighting UK film and television locations.
The visit has also included engagement with India’s vibrant fashion scene, with Nandy touring boutique designers in Delhi’s Okhla neighbourhood. She also met with Indian female cricketers ahead of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup and is scheduled to visit football coaches involved in the Premier League Primary Stars programme—a UK-India collaboration improving physical education in schools. The Premier League recently announced the opening of a new office in Mumbai to further these efforts.
Nandy is also expected to meet senior Indian government ministers, major investors, and business leaders to explore additional avenues of cultural and economic collaboration. British-Indian cultural icons welcomed the agreement.
During an official visit to New Delhi, Nandy also discussed the Kohinoor diamond. “There have been long-standing conversations between the UK and India about how we can collaborate more closely,” she said, while speaking to Indian media. She emphasised that the goal is to ensure people in both countries “can benefit from and have access to many of the cultural artefacts that date back to a very different era.”
During an official visit to New Delhi, Nandy also discussed the Kohinoor diamond. “There have been long-standing conversations between the UK and India about how we can collaborate more closely,” she said, while speaking to Indian media. She emphasised that the goal is to ensure people in both countries “can benefit from and have access to many of the cultural artefacts that date back to a very different era.”
PM Modi calls WAVES the 'Dawn of India’s Orange Economy'
Inaugurating the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed WAVES as "a wave of culture, creativity and universal connectivity." Declaring the event the "dawn of India’s Orange Economy," he urged global creators to “dream big.” He encouraged youth to “tell the one billion untold stories of India to the world.” He called upon investors to “invest not just in platforms, but in people.”
Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, the summit featured industry giants Mukesh Ambani, Neal Mohan, Adam Mosseri, Nita Ambani, and film icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Aamir Khan. The summit's B2B exhibition WAVES Bazaar generated deals worth ₹1,328 crore, with the Maharashtra Government signing MoUs totalling ₹8,000 crore.
The Global Media Dialogue led to the adoption of the WAVES Declaration by 77 nations, advocating digital inclusivity and global peace through storytelling. Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dr S Jaishankar emphasised technology-led cultural diplomacy and skills-based creative growth.
Meanwhile, the Create in India Challenge saw 750+ finalists from 60+ countries. A national highlight was the announcement of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai, set to rival IITs and IIMs in global repute.
From AI-powered filmmaking to grassroots innovation, WAVES 2025 captured the spirit of India’s ascent as a global content powerhouse. “This is just the beginning,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, closing the summit.
Shah Rukh Khan reflected upon the idea of the insider-outsider debate. Sharing from his lived experiences, he said, "If you wallow in self-pity, you won't give your full force to the world where you want to make a space for yourself."
The summit also brought together the global entertainment ecosystem, with vibrant booths from leading Indian and international production houses, streaming giants, and digital platforms. Major players like Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, and Viacom18 showcased their latest projects alongside YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Jio Hotstar, highlighting innovation in content creation and storytelling. These interactive spaces buzzed with discussions on co-productions, tech-driven filmmaking, and cross-border collaboration.
This inaugural edition of WAVES 2025 wrapped up with massive industry participation and global acclaim. Over four days, the summit brought together over 100 international speakers, 140+ knowledge sessions, and participation from 77 countries, making it a landmark event in India’s creative economy.
