Invited by MEA’s XP Division, Journalists Interact with ICCR; India Showcases Cultural Diplomacy, Soft Power and Media Ecosystem
New Delhi [India], January 16: A delegation of 27 senior journalists and media professionals from Central and West Africa, invited by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), XP Division, is on a familiarisation visit to India from January 13 to January 22, 2026. As part of the programme, the delegation had an interaction session with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi today.
The visiting journalists represent Cameroon, Cook Islands, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Kiribati, Liberia, Mauritania, Niger, Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Togo and Tonga.
The delegation is visiting Delhi, Mumbai and Agra, gaining first-hand exposure to India’s cultural heritage, development journey, democratic institutions and vibrant media ecosystem.
Interaction with ICCR Leadership
During their visit to ICCR, the delegation interacted with senior officials, including Smt. K. Nandini Singla, Director General, ICCR, and Shri Rajesh Ranjan, Deputy Director General, ICCR.
Smt. K. Nandini Singla, Director General, ICCR, said:
“India’s cultural diplomacy is a powerful instrument of soft power. Through Yoga, Ayurveda, Indian languages, arts and education, India connects with the world at a people-to-people level. Media familiarisation visits enable journalists to experience this living culture first-hand and share authentic stories with global audiences.”
Shri Rajesh Ranjan, Deputy Director General, ICCR, added:
“India’s engagement with Africa and island nations goes beyond diplomacy. It is rooted in shared civilisational values, mutual respect and cooperation. Media exchanges help strengthen trust and deepen long-term partnerships.”
Cultural Diplomacy and India’s Soft Power
The programme highlights India’s globally recognised soft power strengths, including Yoga, Ayurveda, Indian languages, music, dance and traditional knowledge systems, which continue to gain worldwide acceptance.
India’s leadership in promoting the International Day of Yoga, the expanding global footprint of Ayurveda, and growing interest in Hindi and other Indian languages reflect the country’s rising cultural influence across continents. Through ICCR’s global network of cultural centres and academic exchanges, India continues to build enduring cultural bridges with Africa, the Pacific and beyond.
Showcasing India’s Media Industry
The familiarisation visit also introduces the delegation to India’s diverse and robust media landscape, one of the largest in the world.
India has:
Thousands of newspapers and periodicals
Publications in dozens of languages, including all 22 constitutionally recognised (Scheduled) languages
A strong presence of English, Hindi and regional-language media
A rapidly expanding digital and multimedia news ecosystem
Indian media plays a crucial role in reflecting the country’s diversity, democratic discourse and development narrative, making it a key area of interest for visiting international journalists.
Media, Culture and People-to-People Engagement
During their visits to Delhi, Mumbai and Agra, the journalists will engage with media organisations, cultural institutions and heritage sites, including the Taj Mahal, symbolising India’s civilisational depth and cultural continuity.
The journalists are expected to produce digital stories, articles, videos and social media content for their respective platforms, sharing first-hand perspectives on India’s culture, media industry and global engagement.
Strengthening Global Narratives
This familiarisation visit, organised under the aegis of the MEA’s XP Division with ICCR as a key partner, underscores India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, soft power outreach and media collaboration, positioning journalism as a vital bridge in strengthening India’s relationships with Africa and island nations.
By Amit Deshmukh
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