Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will launch the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Public Diplomacy (PD) Division websites at 3 p.m. on Friday. Joint Secretary (Public Diplomacy) of Ministry of External Affairs (MHA) Navdeep Suri had earlier on December 11 said that India realises the need to have its presence in social media.

Cultural exchange was an important part of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s agenda during his visit to the city. On Wednesday, he met a delegation of filmmakers at Yash Raj Films Studio in Andheri. The idea was to encourage and improve cultural relations with Bollywood.

Renowned Australian investment banker and philanthropist Philip Wollen Wednesday said that Indian entrepreneurs can cash in on the soft power of the country to reach out to the global markets.

The ethnic cultural diversity of the South American nation of Ecuador came to life in the Indian capital with a colourful showcase of music and dances based on the indigenous folklores and social mores of the country.

A host of world leaders trooped into India over the last few months, including Russia's president on Tuesday, to strengthen relations with Asia's third-largest economy, attracted by its booming market and growing diplomatic heft.

Cases from one of India's largest museums have been unlocked and shipped to the UAE after they were allowed to leave their homeland for the first time. Treasures dating back to 13th century were shown outside India at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, which opened the exhibit yesterday.

India has commissioned a 16-feet high icon of Lord Buddha, as part of joint activities with Sri Lanka to commemorate 2,600th year or the Sambudda Jayanthi of the Buddhahood, the Indian High commission here said.

Bollywood finds mention in WikiLeaks in a confidential cable sent by U.S. diplomats in India suggesting that the appeal of Bollywood stars in Afghanistan could aid international efforts to stabilize the country. Media reports here over the weekend have quoted the March 2007 cable that was a response to a request from Washington for "specific, concrete ideas for opportunities for India to use soft power in helping Afghanistan's reconstruction."