Cultural cooperation India-Netherlands 2025-2028

For Dutch artists and cultural organisations, collaborating with India can be hugely rewarding and enriching, but it is essential that there is a clear interest or demand from the Indian partner or audience for any project or activity. Productive partnerships are developed in dialogue. Projects or activities that align with cultural trends in India, connecting cultures (such as joint exhibitions featuring both Indian and Dutch artists), or focus on sustainability (e.g. with a demand for Dutch expertise) are especially eligible to receive Dutch support.

Key cooperation partners in India include museums and festivals. In the Netherlands, partners include the Netherlands Film Fund, Creative Industries Fund NL, Performing Arts Fund, EYE, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, National Archives, Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage, and DutchCulture.

Festivals
India is a country of festivals, not least as a result of all its cultural and religious traditions. There are festivals big and small, in every region, in every imaginable cultural field, ranging from films and music to literature and fashion. These festivals are usually well attended and establish a direct link with the Indian audience. Dutch artists aspiring to become active in India are advised to consider participating in suitable Indian festivals, which provides a good entry into the Indian market.

Design

• Fashion and textile design: India, a leading textile manufacturer, is also at the forefront of the green transition in fashion. Designers can find inspiration in its traditional industry and sustainability efforts. What makes it unique is that India is on the brink of shaping a new design language—one that draws from tradition while embracing global and contemporary influences. Dutch designers can benefit from attending annual festivals in Pune, Hyderabad, and New Delhi or collaborating with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• Handicraft and furniture design: India's textile and handicraft industry is the largest in the world, preserving traditions long lost in Europe and presenting strong opportunities for collaboration. UNESCO supports rural craft hubs in West Bengal as part of its Intangible Heritage Programme.
• Urban planning and landscape design: India's massive urban agglomerations, like New Delhi, surpass the entire population of the Netherlands, posing unique challenges. Dutch expertise in architecture, urban planning and design is in demand to develop livable cities. Opportunities also exist to connect with UNESCO’s Creative Cities programme, which promotes sustainable urban development through creative sectors.
   

Performing arts
The performing arts sector (including theatre, music and dance) in India is diverse and includes both traditional as well as contemporary forms. European music and dance performances may find an enthusiastic reception in India, especially if it includes an element of collaboration with Indian performers. Dutch DJs especially remain very popular amongst urban Indians. Performing at one of the many festivals held in India often means exposure to large audiences. Codarts in Rotterdam is one of the few conservatories in Europe offering a full-fledged academic programme in Indian music. In terms of theatre, India has a rich folk theatre tradition also regionally influenced. However, modern theatre spaces are growing in the urban areas of Mumbai and Delhi. The market for contemporary and experimental arts is rapidly expanding, especially in urban areas where there is a growing demand for fusion performances and modern interpretations of traditional forms.

Heritage cooperation  

• Museum cooperation: India is home to over 1,200 museums, ranging from national institutions in major cities to regional and specialized museums across different states. There is a strong push to reimagine and upgrade these museums. Dutch museums, renowned for their innovative exhibition concepts and design, have a wealth of expertise to share. Several Dutch museums also house unique collections of Indian art and are keen to engage in joint research with Indian museums and art historians to explore the background, provenance, and context of these artefacts. Additionally, there is growing interest in organising joint exhibitions on shared themes, such as mutual influences through art or migration, reflecting the large Indian community in the Netherlands.
• Dutch-Indian cultural heritage: India has numerous monuments all over the country dating from many different eras, which strengthen a sense of identity and community. As a result of the activities of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the 17th-18th century, there is a substantial amount of Dutch historical heritage all over India as well, in the form of forts, palaces, trading houses, churches, cemeteries and archives. There is considerable interest from the Indian side to preserve and make these monuments accessible to Indians today in order to connect with their past. The Dutch approach emphasizes preserving monuments as an essential part of local community development. Experts from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and other institutions can provide assistance and expertise in developing strategies using a community-based approach.
• Intangible cultural heritage: the Netherlands wishes to cooperate not only regarding tangible but also intangible cultural heritage, which is of great social importance for both the Netherlands and India. Currently, India has 15 items on the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, ranging from traditional folk songs, dance, performances and theatre to yoga. The Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (KIEN) develops and exchanges knowledge about safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and passing it on to new generations.
   

Other potential cooperation fields

• Cinematography: India is not only a large market for foreign films, it is also a world-leading producer of films whose films reach a global audience and are a source of considerable soft power for India. Various international film festivals are held, including in Goa, Mumbai and Kolkata. The Netherlands regularly participates in the European Film Festival.
• Literature: There is a strong interest in world literature in India, and various literary festivals are held annually in India. The Jaipur Literary Festival is the largest literature festival in the world. Dutch authors are not yet very well known in India, but authors and poets who touch on issues of relevance to India, such as women’s rights, gender identities, struggle between tradition and modernity, or the relationship with nature may find a receptive audience in India.

In India, the diplomatic network consists of the embassy in Delhi and the consulates general in Bangalore and Mumbai. The embassy supports projects that fulfil the goals of the International Cultural Policy 2025-2028. The focus is on cultural cooperation in various fields such as modern visual arts, films, architecture, design and performing arts. Exhibitions of common interest, projects on shared cultural heritage as well as exchange of expertise and the exchange of experts are highly encouraged.

Would you like to receive more information regarding opportunities for cultural exchange with India? Feel free to contact our India advisor Stella Roos Peters with your questions for tailored advice. 

Further reading

• Go (back) to the main country page for India
• Webpages of the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands in India
• Follow the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India on social media