India, Russia agree to launch annual Indo-Russian Forum for Media Cooperation

Ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) and Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development have mutually agreed that an annual Indo-Russian Forum for Media Cooperation be organised alternately in India and Russia in order to institutionalise the process of cooperation between the two countries in the media and entertainment sector.

Television, news agencies, digital distribution platforms, new media, news gathering, co-production of programmes, sharing of content and exchange of professionals were identified as possible areas of collaboration.

A Russian Delegation led by the Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, H.E, Alexey Volin, including the Ambassador of Russian Federation to India, H.E Nikolay Kudashev and other delegates met I&B secretary Amit Khare today.

The need to forge strong connections between the young journalists of the two countries was also highlighted in the meeting.

During the discussion, Amit Khare stated that the Golden Jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of India scheduled to be held later this year offers an opportunity to countries to showcase their creativity and cinematic excellence on a global platform. He extended an invitation to the Russian Delegation to participate in the Festival.

Alexey Volin talked about the immense popularity of Indian films in Russia and mentioned about a 24 hour channel dedicated solely to Indian films, currently operational in Russia.

The meeting was also attended by Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati; PIB Principal DG Sitanshu Kar; Ministry of I&B Joint Secetray Vikram Sahay; Doordarshan DG Supriya Sahu; All India Radio DG F. Shehryar; DD News DG Mayank Agrawal; Film Festivals Addl. DG, Directorate Chaitanya Prasad and AIR News Addl. DG JP Mattu Singh.