Category Policy Update

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PRASHAD SCHEME 2015

India is a culturally rich and diverse country filled with numerous places of religious and cultural significance. These rich heritage and pilgrimage sites attract millions of international and domestic tourists to India. Before PRASHAD, India lacked an integrated, inclusive, and sustainable approach towards tourism development and infrastructure.

Textile

India–Laos: Textile Craft Heritage Exchange (2026)

The textile connection between India and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) is rooted in a shared civilizational tapestry that spans over a millennium. Both nations view textiles not merely as commodities but as profound storytellers of cultural identity, spirituality, and social status. Historically, the exchange began through the spread of Buddhism and the migration of the Tai people, who carried weaving traditions from the Yunnan region into the Mekong Valley.

Buddhist

India–Myanmar: Buddhist Trail Development (2026)

The shared spiritual landscape between India and Myanmar is anchored in a 2,500-year-old history. Buddhism, which migrated from the plains of Magadha to the shores of the Irrawaddy, serves as the "civilizational glue" for bilateral relations. For Myanmar’s predominantly Theravada Buddhist population, India is Jambudvipa—the sacred land of the Enlightenment.  

India-Saudi Arabia: Cybersecurity Cooperation and Critical Infrastructure Protection (2026)

India-Saudi Arabia: Cybersecurity Cooperation and Critical Infrastructure Protection (2026)

The institutionalisation of the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) in 2019 marked the beginning of India-Saudi cooperation in cybersecurity and the safeguarding of critical infrastructure. Discussions commenced under broader defence, security, and technological cooperation frameworks of SPC. India’s priorities are to safeguard its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the telecom sector along with its cyberspace. Its digital economy is valued at 11.74 percent of its national income, thus contributing USD 402 billion to the GDP. Considerable progress has been made in capacity development, legal, and technical aspects of cybersecurity by India as evident by its Tier 1 status in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 constitutes cybersecurity as a cornerstone for its economic resilience and development. Vision 2030 seeks to diversify the Saudi economy, build smart cities such as NEOM, and secure critical oil, gas, desalination, and logistics infrastructure.

India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping (2026): Strengthening Riverine Connectivity for Subregional Maritime Integration

India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping (2026): Strengthening Riverine Connectivity for Subregional Maritime Integration

Over the last decade, India and Bangladesh, as littoral neighbours in the Bay of Bengal, have sought to revitalise maritime connectivity to deepen bilateral engagement and foster wider regional cooperation. Bilateral trade has increased substantially in recent years, despite periodic setbacks, making Bangladesh India’s largest trading partner in South Asia. In FY 2024-25, India’s exports to Bangladesh stood at approximately USD 11.49 billion, while imports were valued at around USD 2 billion, resulting in a trade surplus favouring India.

textile

India–Turkey: Textile and Apparel Trade Synergies (2026)

The textile and apparel (T&A) relationship between India and Turkey is rooted in deep historical ties and a shared status as global manufacturing powerhouses. Historically, both nations have acted as pillars of the global textile supply chain — India as a massive producer of raw materials (cotton and synthetic fibers) and Turkey as a high-quality fashion hub and gateway to the European market.

Yuva

Empowering India’s Youth: Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK)

 The Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK) is the flagship Central Sector Umbrella Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. Formulated during the 12th Five-Year Plan, the scheme was restructured in 2016 to merge several disparate youth-centric programs into a unified framework.

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