British Council's Creative Convergence Delhi Edition Charts Future of India-UK Creative Partnership
The British Council, the United Kingdom's premier international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, successfully hosted the Delhi edition of its flagship event Creative Convergence: Growth Reimagined at its New Delhi premises on January 29-30, 2026. This significant gathering built upon the momentum of the inaugural Bengaluru edition held in November 2025, marking a continued commitment to strengthening creative ties between the two nations.
Strategic Framework and High-Level Participation
Anchored firmly within the framework of the India-UK Programme of Cultural Cooperation (2025-2030), the Delhi edition placed a strong emphasis on policy dialogue, research, and creative enterprise. The event explored how aligned frameworks and cross-border collaboration can drive inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready growth in the creative sectors of both countries.
The proceedings commenced with a plenary and keynote session titled 'Creative Convergence: Where Bold Ideas and Future-Ready Ecosystems Meet', which strategically positioned the creative economy as a critical driver of policy, innovation, and bilateral collaboration. The session featured distinguished speakers including:
- Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India, who delivered opening remarks
- Vivek Aggarwal (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India
- Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia
- Ruth Mackenzie CBE, Global Director of Arts, British Council
The session was skillfully moderated by Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, setting a collaborative tone for the two-day event.
Key Perspectives from Leadership
Speaking at the event, British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron CB OBE emphasized the significance of the creative economy in bilateral relations, stating: "The creative economy plays a vital role in the UK-India relationship, sitting at the intersection of culture, technology, skills, and enterprise, and is increasingly recognized as a powerful driver of inclusive and sustainable growth for both countries."
Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary of India's Ministry of Culture, highlighted the sector's importance for livelihoods, noting: "For India, the creative economy is not a niche sector—it is central to our overall policy for growth and economic development. Creative industries, for us, mean livelihoods."
Tim Curtis from UNESCO observed the shifting paradigm: "It is encouraging to see culture and creativity no longer being put to the margins of sustainable development discussions, but placed more at the centre."
Ruth Mackenzie CBE of the British Council articulated the organization's mission: "Through Creative Convergence, we focus on how creativity drives prosperity, fuelled by the power of local stories and enabled by sharing these stories on global platforms."
Day One: Policy Dialogues and Creative Showcases
The first day featured the Policy Conference – 'Greater Together: India-UK Creative Dialogue', which explored concrete avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation through policy alignment, institutional frameworks, and market-led partnerships.
Concurrently, the Immersive Pop-Up Space – 'Char by Char: An Exposition of Correlated Creatives' was inaugurated, curated by The Design Village Foundation. This exhibition showcased innovative intersections of design, sustainability, and creative enterprise through scalable, collaborative practices.
The evening concluded with 'Doc-Exchange: Indo-UK Opportunities with the Documentary', a specialized forum focused on documentary co-production, co-financing, and distribution opportunities between India and the UK.
Day Two: Research, Sustainability, and Artistic Innovation
The second day advanced these conversations with focused sessions on research, sustainability, and creative ecosystems. The day opened with 'Researching Our Creative Futures: How Data, Insight and Evidence Shape Cultural Change', curated by Rashmi Dhanwani of Art X Company.
This was followed by 'Dress Code: Sustainable! Co-Creating Fashion's Future', which built upon the British Council's New Landscapes initiative. This session explored how creative enterprise, research, and enabling policy are collectively reshaping the future of sustainable fashion.
The Delhi edition concluded with 'Modulated Movements', an experimental live performance curated by W.I.P Labs that merged technology, sound, movement, and voice to create innovative forms of artistic expression.
Complementary Initiatives and Lasting Impact
Complementing the on-ground program, the British Council ran the 'Supporting the Creative Economy' online policy training initiative from November 2025 to January 2026. This program strengthened professional capacity and creative networks between India and the UK, creating lasting connections beyond the physical event.
Reflecting on the event's significance, Alison Barrett MBE noted: "The creative economy is not just about cultural expression and exchange – it is a driver of innovation, sustainable livelihoods, and global understanding. Platforms like the British Council's Creative Convergence allow us to reimagine how policy, research, and enterprises intersect."
With its comprehensive combination of policy dialogue, research insights, and creative showcases, the Delhi edition of Creative Convergence has reaffirmed the British Council's commitment to fostering long-term India-UK collaboration across cultural and creative sectors. The event successfully demonstrated how aligned frameworks and cross-border partnerships can enable inclusive and sustainable growth for the future of both nations' creative economies.
