Ever since it was founded, the Alliance Française has been one of the most active promoters of the French language and culture around the world. Its action is all the more remarkable as the Alliances Françaises — there are currently a thousand of them — are private associations operating under local laws.

India this week launched a 15-month cultural festival,'Namaste France',to reciprocate France's 'Bonjour India',a two-month-long festival organised in 18 Indian cities. It's a risky strategy in a culturally perceptive country like France.Cultural diplomacy is much appreciated by the French;but this needs to be incisive for India to enter their consciousness.

Namaste France, a 15-month long 'Festival of India' has been launched in Paris to spread awareness about Indian culture which include dance, music, literature and cinema... Namaste France follows Bonjour India - the French cultural Festival held in India from November 2009 to February this year.

Some of India’s best-known artistes will travel to China and France this month for the “Festival of India in China” and “Namaste France” events respectively, organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

THE Smurfs, the Little Mermaid, Bollywood stars, tenor Andrea Bocelli and the acrobats of Cirque du Soleil are part of a colourful diplomatic offensive to win Chinese hearts at this year's World Expo.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) would flag-off the Festival of India in China and France in April, showcasing a variety of art forms from various regions of India.

To counter the tough global economic trend, France on Monday urged India Inc to invest in the world's fifth largest economy. This is also a testimony to the increasing respectability towards Indian entrepreneurs.

World fairs are a good laboratory for experimenting with architecture and the upcoming expo in China is no exception. Thanks to computer-aided design, pavilions that resemble giant dandelions and baskets are fabulous buildings that 'look like they can't be built.'