India Prepares for Historic Cultural Diplomacy at Youth Delphic Games

A 57-member delegation from India is set to compete in the inaugural Youth Delphic Games of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, heralding a new era in cultural diplomacy. The event, held in Kyrgyzstan, marks the first time a structured Indian arts team will participate on such an international platform.

In a landmark move in cultural diplomacy, the International Pythian Council has announced that a 57-member Indian delegation will represent the country at the First Youth Delphic Games of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States. Scheduled for March 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, this event signifies a groundbreaking shift in global cultural engagement for India.

For the first time in history, a structured team of Indian artists will compete on the international stage, akin to a national sports squad, under the auspices of the Modern Pythian Games. The unprecedented participation results from a historic Memorandum of Understanding signed between the International Pythian Council and the International Delphic Committee, marking a new era of cooperation in the global arts economy.

This strategic move holds significant diplomatic weight, with invitations extended to prominent figures like Bijender Goel, Founder of the Modern Pythian Games, to attend the opening and closing ceremonies as a Special Guest. Santanu Agrahari, IAS, President of the Pythian Council of India, articulated the moment's importance, stating that treating artists with similar prestige as athletes is a defining moment for Indian cultural diplomacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)