Culture, heritage & sustainability in focus at Brics meet in Varanasi

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, became the hub of cultural diplomacy as representatives from 11 group nations, including China, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia, gathered in the city on Thursday for the two-day second meeting of the Brics Culture Working Group (CWC).

The delegates are discussing India’s key priorities under the culture track — creative economy, protection of cultural heritage and culture-led sustainable development — while exploring ways to deepen cultural cooperation among member nations.

The meeting marks another major international engagement for Varanasi after its successful hosting of several G20 events. Senior diplomats, policymakers and cultural experts from participating countries are taking part in deliberations aimed at strengthening cultural partnerships and fostering greater collaboration among Brics nations.

The inaugural session was chaired by Vivek Aggarwal, secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India. Delegates from Brazil, China, Indonesia, Iran, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates attended in person, while representatives from Ethiopia, Egypt and the Russian Federation joined virtually. The member states shared their priorities and perspectives on the agenda items.

The first panel discussion, titled “Creative Economy and People-to-People Cooperation: Innovation, Partnerships and the Way Forward,” was moderated by Aggarwal. Deliberations centred on the growing role of the creative economy in driving inclusive development, strengthening social cohesion, enhancing cultural exchanges, expanding market access and fostering digital innovation among participating nations.

The second panel discussion, “Copyright and Ethical AI in the Creative Economy: Advancing Best Practices”, was moderated by Sachchidanand Joshi, member secretary, IGNCA. Discussions highlighted the importance of copyright protection, cultural attribution and ethical considerations surrounding the use of Artificial Intelligence in the creative sector, while also exploring opportunities for future collaboration among BRICS countries.

The proceedings concluded with a cultural programme celebrating India's rich and diverse cultural heritage. The programme featured a musical ensemble presenting the distinctive musical traditions of different regions of the country, reflecting India's cultural plurality and unity. This was followed by “Colours of India”, a vibrant cultural presentation showcasing a range of classical and folk dance forms from across the nation, offering delegates a glimpse into India's rich artistic traditions and cultural diversity.