Mentor’s Comment:  The landmark moment for India-UK ties, not only with the ratification of the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement but more so with the signing of the Programme of Cultural Cooperation (POCC) between both nations. This represents a significant cultural pivot and recognizes creative industries as drivers of economic growth, inclusion, and diplomacy. It also places India, with its deep heritage and burgeoning digital skills, in a leadership role within the global creative economy — a sector projected to constitute 10% of global GDP by 2030. The POCC opens up a digital-cultural corridor between India and the UK, at a time when cross-border cultural diplomacy is becoming central to international relations.

Today’s editorial analyses the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India. This content would help in GS Paper I (Indian Society), GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper III ( Indian Economy)  in the mains Paper.

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Why in the News?

In May 2024, India and the United Kingdom approved their long-awaited Free Trade Agreement, marking a major step forward in their economic relationship.

What are its main focus areas?

• Digital Technologies for Culture: Focuses on using emerging tools like AI, AR/VR, and digital platforms to preserve and share cultural experiences. Eg: Creating virtual museum tours or AI-powered cultural archives.
• Exhibitions and Collections: Promotes collaboration between museums and institutions to share art, history, and heritage collections. Eg: Joint exhibitions by the British Museum and Indian cultural institutions.
• Performances and Events: Encourages cultural exchanges through music, dance, theatre, and film festivals. Eg: Participation of Indian artists in the Serendipity Arts Festival – Birmingham chapter.
• Cultural Property: Aims to protect and restore heritage artifacts and traditions, including tackling illicit trafficking. Eg: UNESCO–Royal Enfield’s Himalayan Knot project conserving textile traditions.
• Sustainability: Supports environmentally responsible practices in cultural projects and promotes green initiatives in the arts. Eg: Sustainable exhibition design and eco-friendly performances during India-UK cultural collaborations.

Why is the creative economy important for both India and the U.K.?

• Drives Economic Growth: The creative economy is projected to contribute 10% of global GDP by 2030. Eg: India’s creative sector is already worth $35 billion, and is rapidly expanding with global collaborations.
• Generates Employment: It is a major employment multiplier, especially in sectors like film, design, digital content, and heritage arts. Eg: In India, it employs 8% of the workforce, second only to agriculture.
• Boosts Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Fosters partnerships and mutual understanding between nations through shared cultural experiences. Eg: The POCC agreement strengthens UK-India ties via co-created exhibitions and performances.
• Supports Innovation through Technology: Integrates AI, AR/VR, and digital platforms into creative practices, making the sector dynamic and future-ready. Eg: The British Council’s Arts and Technologies report calls for embedding digital tools in India’s creative education.
• Promotes Inclusive Development: Engages non-metro regions and artisan communities, helping balance regional inequalities. Eg: Creative hubs in Badgam (J&K) and Tiruppur (TN) show the power of decentralised cultural growth.

How are new technologies shaping the creative sector?

• Enhancing Cultural Experiences through AR/VR: Augmented and virtual reality bring immersive experiences to museums, exhibitions, and performances. Eg: Museums in the U.K. use VR to recreate historical events, allowing virtual tours and deeper engagement.
• Expanding Global Reach via Digital Platforms: Digital platforms enable creators to reach global audiences instantly. Eg: Indian artists now showcase their work on OTT platforms and global streaming services.
• Boosting Innovation in Storytelling with AI: Artificial Intelligence helps generate content, animation, music, and design, improving efficiency and creativity. Eg: AI tools are used in film editing and scriptwriting to speed up production.
• Creating New Art Forms and Jobs: Tech-based sectors like gaming, digital art, and interactive media are emerging as new creative industries. Eg: India’s gaming sector, driven by youth and mobile access, is becoming a major employer in digital creativity.
• Transforming Creative Education: New technologies are integrated into curricula to train the next generation of artists and designers. Eg: The British Council’s report urges India to include tech-based tools in creative education programs.

Way forward: 

• Promote Education & Skill Development: Invest in creative education, vocational training, and digital literacy to build a future-ready workforce equipped for sectors like design, animation, gaming, and digital content.
  Eg: Setting up creative arts institutes and expanding courses in AR/VR, AI, and multimedia design.
• Strengthen International Collaboration & Policy Support: Foster cross-border partnerships and provide policy incentives for creative industries to innovate, grow, and access global markets. Eg: Agreements like the India–U.K. Programme of Cultural Cooperation (POCC) help promote cultural exchangeand creative trade.

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