NEW DELHI: Russia has agreed to provide assistance in the development of direct ties and contacts between the Prasar Bharati and the All Russian State Television and Radio Company.

 
India will also hold a Festival of India in Russia during 2015, according to an agreement between a visiting team from Russia.

 
India and Russia have expressed their keenness for cultural exchanges/cooperation in the fields of exhibitions, libraries, visits of crafts persons, visit of writers’ delegation, contemporary and visual arts, archives, theatre art, contemporary visual art etc.

 
Both countries will renew the Cultural Exchange Programme for 2015 to 2018, according to a decision taken by the 20th meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Culture and Tourism of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation held here today.  
 The two sides agreed to exchange film related events, and reciprocal participation in the International Film Festivals to be held in both countries in accordance with their respective regulations.

The meeting was chaired by Culture Joint Secretary V Srinivas. Apart from Culture Ministry, the others from the Indian side comprised of representatives of Tourism, External Affairs, Information and Broadcasting Ministries. From the Russian side, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation Deputy Minister Elena Milovzorova headed the five member delegation.

 
The meeting is alternatively held in India and Russia every year under the provisions laid down in the Russian-India Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical and Cultural Cooperation.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the successful implementation of the Protocol of the 19th meeting of the Programme of Cultural Exchange between the two Governments for the years 2013-15.