Flagship Indian culture body among sponsors of Karachi lit fest

New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) At a time when the diplomatic dialogue between India and Pakistan has come to a virtual standstill, some signs of a temporary thaw in the cultural space is evidently visible as Indian governments flagship cultural body was one of the sponsors of the just-concluded Karachi Literature Festival.

This development is particularly crucial as it comes at a time when India has undertaken a diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan internationally but on the other hand, Indian Council for Cultural Relations' (ICCR), which promotes the country's relations with the external world by executing the foreign ministry's projects abroad, came on board to support Karachi Literature Festival.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations' (ICCR), for the first time, sponsored Karachi Literature Festival, held from February 10 - 12.

The Karachi Literature Festival has become one of the major cultural events in Pakistan and serves as a melting pot of literature with participants from various countries. Since its inception in 2010, the literary event has grown by leaps and bounds and has served as a platform for discussions, debates, poetry readings and book launches.

ICCR director general Amarendra Khatua has reportedly told TOI that ICCR is working to maximise India's cultural footprints in many countries, including Pakistan.

Following the Uri attack last year, India had boycotted the SAARC summit in Islamabad, which ultimately led to its postponement as several other members walked out. There was also an "unofficial ban" on Pakistani artists called by Shiv Sena and other extreme-Right groups. Pakistan too had banned Indian films briefly, which has now been lifted.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) 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.

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