New Delhi, March 23 -- The Ministry of Culture has implemented the "Global Engagement Scheme" (GES) to promote India's rich cultural heritage internationally, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.

Under the scheme, the Ministry has empanelled artists and groups across various art forms to perform in the Festival of India (FoIs) abroad. Currently, 627 artists/groups are empanelled, including 31 from Uttar Pradesh, the Minister said.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), functioning under the Ministry of External Affairs, sponsored 52 folk art troupes to present cultural performances abroad over the last five years.

For the financial year 2025-26, an am...