UK and India Seal Cultural Collaboration Deal

The United Kingdom and India are poised for enhanced cultural connections as both nations concluded a fresh "cultural collaboration accord" today in Mumbai.

The accord was finalized today by the UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, during her ongoing three-day visit to India. She was accompanied by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India’s Minister for both Culture and Tourism.

There haven’t been many details disclosed about the agreement yet. Nonetheless, DCMS has mentioned that it will include involvement from the British Council in India along with the Indian Ministry of Culture. Major UK cultural entities such as Arts Council England, the British Library, and the British Museum will take part in this initiative. They aim to establish fresh collaborations for exhibits or public programs designed to connect with the Indian community residing in the UK.

The UK will collaborate with India to promote best practices and expertise in heritage preservation, museum operations, and the digitalization of collections. This effort includes making the information within South Asian manuscripts more readily available to the public.

Nandy is currently in India as part of a UK delegation that comprises members from the British Film Institute and the Science Museum. During her visit, she visited the Yash Raj Films studio and delivered a keynote address at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, during which she rejected proposals for an additional tax on steamers in the UK.

At the event, speaking with Variety, Nandy stated: “We would be quite hesitant about imposing extra taxes during a period when businesses are thriving. The U.K. remains receptive to commerce, enabling us to draw substantial investments that contribute to generating quality employment opportunities across all regions of the nation.”

Last month, the prominent UK Culture, Media & Sport Committee (CMSC) formally suggested a 5% streamer levy To the government and stated that this should be codified into legislation if the industry does not implement it within one year.

Commonly known as the 'Kosminsky Levy,' named after its primary supporter, Wolf Hall Director Peter Kosminsky found significant support for this notion during the latest CMSC investigation into British cinema and high-end television (HETV). The CMSC stated in their concluding document that their suggestions should assist “the sector navigate potential challenges” while urging both governmental bodies and industries not to take for granted the UK’s position as the 'European Hollywood.'

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