Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah met on Sunday with Indian Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is visiting Riyadh to participate in the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the strong cultural relations between the Kingdom and India and explored ways to enhance cooperation in the cultural sector.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Indian Ministry of Culture to strengthen collaboration and cultural exchange across a wide range of fields. These include heritage, museums, theater and performing arts, film, fashion, music, culinary arts, visual arts, architecture and design, libraries, literature, publishing and translation, traditional arts and crafts, and Arabic language education.

The MoU also includes provisions for the exchange of expertise in projects related to heritage preservation, as well as participation in cultural festivals and events in both countries.

Also, Indian Minister Shekhawat visited the Indian Cultural Week events held at Suwaidi Park in Riyadh as part of the "Global Harmony 2" initiative, one of the Quality of Life Program initiatives. He was accompanied by CEO of the General Authority of Media Regulation Dr. Abdul Latif Al Abdul Latif and other officials.

The Indian minister toured various sections of the event, which included pavilions showcasing handicrafts and traditional Indian cuisine. The "Global Harmony 2" initiative runs for 49 days and features the participation of 14 cultures from around the world. The events include diverse artistic, heritage, and cultural performances that reflect the depth of human diversity characterizing the Kingdom.