"Today, its very historic and important that we have signed this MoU with the Andaman-Nicobar administration to ensure that the sides come together to coordinate, collaborate, optimise efforts in enhancing international profile of the islands as it seeks to attract tourists, investment, technology and tap markets," ICCR Director General C Rajasekhar told reporters here.
As part of the MoU, which Rajasekhar signed with Andaman and Nicobar Secretary (Art and Culture) Ankita Mishra Bundela, ICCR will also arrange for international cultural troupes/ groups/performers/artists to visit the islands and vice versa.
"What we are looking at is that international writers of eminence to come and stay at picturesque places like Andaman. They can spend some time there, organise some workshops, interact with people and also write, which will further enhance the tourist pull of that place," Rajasekhar said.
Bundela said the tie-up will help the UT to get foreign tourists and also offer a "wider" platform for the island people to showcase their talents to the world.
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The ICCR has executed MoUs with 10 state governments/UTs -- Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Dadara and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
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The ICCR said it will identify international writers, who will take part in the proposed literary festival in the islands in future, with the help of embassies and cultural centres in the country and overseas.
The ICCR is engaged in promoting India's cultural relations by collaborating with other countries through its activities in the fields of performing arts, visual arts, academic conferences, establishing chairs of India studies in foreign institutions and hosting distinguished visitors in India.