india
Diaspora populations have long sent money back to their countries of origin in the form of remittances. Now, a new initiative led by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Calvert Foundation seeks to tap that capital and put it to work more strategically.
This week's stories highlighted cultural diplomacy programs used to help advance relations between India and another emerging economy, China.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale-2014 stays clear of snob appeal, while its location is highly relevant and part of the success, according to Swiss Ambassador to India Dr Linus von Castelmur, who said that the 108-day festival was a perfect forum to foster cultural exchange between the two nations. Simultaneously, Norwegian Ambassador Eivind S Homme said, “the Biennale could be the beginning of another beginning. Spread across eight venues in the city, the event inspires us to think in new ways. We feel challenged,” he noted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ask New Delhi's envoys in over 160 countries to focus on economic diplomacy to help government attract investment and transform the 'Make-in-India' campaign a success to boost growth during the annual heads of missions conference that started in Delhi on Friday.
Hometown diplomacy mixed with a Silk Road touch is expected be part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's reciprocal gesture when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits China before end of May.
Media organizations in China and India are expected to forge a synergy in a bid to help advance relations between the two emerging economies, said a top Chinese information official at the Second India-China Media Forum in Beijing on February 1.
The magazine is printed in 15 languages now and is circulated in as many as 170 countries "disseminates interesting information about India's rich culture and tradition", according to the details available on its website.
Pointing out that PM Modi has put soft power or public diplomacy to optimal use, Dasgupta said that instances of this are evident from Modi's visit to the US and Australia, when he reached out to the Indian diaspora there by showing the international community the popularity he enjoys among them.