India Champions Culture as Autonomous Goal at Future Summit

Ahead of the UN Summit of the Future, India urged the recognition of culture as an autonomous goal within the Pact for the Future. At a G7 culture ministers' meeting in Italy, Indian officials highlighted culture's role as a dynamic growth catalyst and discussed cultural cooperation with global leaders.

Ahead of the UN Summit of the Future, India has called for the inclusion of culture as an autonomous goal within the Pact for the Future during a key global meeting of culture ministers in Italy.

Scheduled to occur on September 22-23 in New York, the summit will yield an action-oriented agreement addressing sustainable development, financing, international peace, and security. The delegation led by Arunish Chawla, the secretary in the Union Ministry of Culture, emphasized the dynamic role of culture in growth and development.

Chawla argued that recognizing culture as a standalone goal is not merely a diplomatic achievement, but a significant shift in the understanding of development. This position was reinforced during bilateral meetings with international leaders, highlighting the importance of cultural cooperation.

(With inputs from agencies.)