India and Italy have
agreed to cooperate against illegal trafficking of cultural assets
and finding legal remedies for implementing and prohibiting illegal
transfer of these assets. The two countries will work for identification
and return of the works of art, which might have entered the two
countries by illegal means. A cultural exchange programme to this
effect was signed in the presence of visiting Cultural Minister
of Italy Mr. Guiuliano Urbani and Minister of Tourism and Culture,
Shri Jagmohan. Secretary, Culture, Shri Dhanender Kumar and Ambassador
Francesco Aloisi de Larderel, Director General for Cultural Promotion
and cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy signed the
programme.
The Cultural
Exchange Programme envisages cooperation between the two countries,
broadly in the areas of archaeology, art, archives, museums, libraries
and cinema. It proposes to encourage teaching of Italian language
in India and Hindi and Sanskrit in Italy, for which university
teachers will be exchanged.
Both the countries
have agreed to exchange of art and music, dance and theatre events.
The Programme contemplates to work together for the protection
of cultural heritage of both the countries, particularly in the
area of restoration of cultural and art heritage. The relevant
information and experience in the areas of conservation and heritage
will be mutually exchanged.
Further, it proposes
to exchange experts in the field of musicology and archaeological
studies. Research projects in the area of archaeological studies
will be encouraged and information and know-how in the area of
archaeology and conservation will be mutually exchanged.
In the area of
book promotion and libraries, the Programme envisages to exchange
of library experts between the two countries and to share information
and technology for the restoration and preservation of valuable
documents, books and manuscripts. It is also proposed to hold
a publishing exhibition in India by Italy. The Programme also
proposes to encourage translation of Italian literature in India
and Indian literature in Italy.
Modalities of the
implementation of this Cultural Exchange programme will be worked
out subsequently. This programme will be in force for a period
of 3 years.
