A historic musical debut in New Delhi
SaptaSur Festival Unites BIMSTEC Through Music: India has hosted the first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking a landmark cultural collaboration. Titled ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, the event brings together artists from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The festival is an initiative of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), showcasing musical traditions that reflect the shared heritage and diversity of the Bay of Bengal region.
India’s leadership in cultural diplomacy
At the BIMSTEC Summit 2025 held in Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed this cultural festival to deepen regional ties. This commitment to soft power diplomacy highlights India’s evolving role as a cultural anchor in South and Southeast Asia.
Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, inaugurated the event, underscoring the significance of cultural initiatives in fostering multilateral cooperation.
Static GK fact: The BIMSTEC grouping was established in 1997 and connects South Asia with Southeast Asia through economic, technical, and cultural cooperation.
Symbol of unity through diversity
The festival reflects the motto of BIMSTEC: “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership.” Musical performances from all seven nations exhibit the regional ethos of unity in diversity. Attendees experience traditional instruments, vocal styles, and costumes that preserve the intangible cultural heritage of the Bay of Bengal community.
Entry was made free to the public, encouraging greater citizen participation in cross-border cultural exchange.
Static GK Tip: Bharat Mandapam, located in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, is a state-of-the-art cultural and convention centre and was the venue for G20 Summit 2023.
Strengthening people-to-people ties
Events like SaptaSur go beyond entertainment—they serve as strategic platforms to reinforce people-to-people connectivity, often considered the fourth pillar of foreign policy. Cultural diplomacy remains a non-political route to strengthen international partnerships.
India’s hosting of this event reinforces its image as a regional unifier and cultural leader, especially at a time when global diplomacy is exploring softer engagement tools.
Future of BIMSTEC cultural exchanges
The success of the first edition opens doors for annual BIMSTEC cultural collaborations. With increasing global recognition of soft power as a diplomatic tool, initiatives like SaptaSur could become recurring features in BIMSTEC’s calendar.
Such events not only preserve traditional art forms but also contribute to tourism, cultural industries, and youth engagement across member nations.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
SaptaSur Festival Unites BIMSTEC Through Music:
| Topic | Detail |
| BIMSTEC Full Form | Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation |
| Year Established | 1997 |
| BIMSTEC Member Countries | India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand |
| Venue of Festival | Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi |
| Organised By | Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) |
| Inaugurated By | External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar |
| Event Title | SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody |
| Proposed By | PM Narendra Modi at BIMSTEC Summit 2025 |
| BIMSTEC Motto | Peace, Prosperity and Partnership |
| Cultural Diplomacy Role | Strengthening people-to-people and regional ties |
