Context: Recently, April 9 will mark the 70th anniversary of the ICCR’s foundation on this occassion ICCR chief said We believe that centrality of cultural ties will promote our diplomatic, strategic and economic relationship.

• Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) was established when there was neither the concept of soft power nor was the term in use. Naturally then, the activities were limited in terms of their number and their diverse character as well.  
• Majorly, it was about scholarships to foreign students, cultural exchanges involving artistes and youths as also establishing some Chairs in some universities etc. Now, we are in a world where every nation wants to influence and occupy the mind space of the global community and thereby add to its prowess.  
• In a way the limitations of military might are now more obvious and hence the importance of soft power is increasing. A plan to start academic programmes like an Understanding India course, cultural exchange between future leaders, mainstreaming of our traditional artisans through exchange with similar artisans abroad and converting Chairs into full-fledged India Study Centres abroad. 
• Firstly, we are utilising this time for preparing to make a new beginning in some areas of academic courses through a more structured system of knowledge dissemination and evaluation as well as certification.  
• Secondly, with the ‘Show Must Go On’ spirit, we have successfully started conducting e-tutorials and classes on a wide range of subjects including classical dances, Hindi, Sanskrit and even Yoga. 
• Thirdly, in the wake of all pervading gloom and tensions as a result of pandemic, we have announced a global painting competition and also an essay competition for NRIs and alumni of Indian institutions. We always believe that centrality of cultural relations will eventually promote our diplomatic, strategic as well as economic relationships. 

About Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
It is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of External Affairs, involved in India's external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.It was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. 
Its objectives are 

• to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to India’s external cultural relations; 
• to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries; 
• to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people, and to develop relations with nations.