Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

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 national and international organizations in the field of culture.

There are Indian Cultural Centres all over the world, including in Africa in Egypt, South Africa and Mauritius. They offer training in Indian languages, music and dance, and oversee scholarships to study in India.