Varanasi hosts BRICS culture meeting as Uttar Pradesh courts global tourism

India brought delegates from BRICS and partner countries to Varanasi for the second BRICS Culture Working Group meeting on June 4-5, 2026, using the ancient city to showcase Uttar Pradesh’s heritage, spiritual sites and tourism potential. The gathering paired policy talks on culture-led development with temple visits, a Ganga cruise, performances and a stop in Sarnath.

Why it matters: - Varanasi became a stage for India to promote Uttar Pradesh as a global destination for spiritual, cultural and heritage tourism. - The BRICS meeting also tied culture policy to economic goals, including creative industries, employment, entrepreneurship and social inclusion. - The event placed Uttar Pradesh’s tourism assets in front of delegates from multiple major economies.

What happened: - India hosted the Second BRICS Culture Working Group meeting in Varanasi on June 4-5, 2026, under its BRICS Presidency. - Delegates from India, Brazil, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Iran attended in person. - Representatives from Russia, Ethiopia and Egypt joined in hybrid mode. - The inaugural session was chaired by Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and chair of the BRICS Culture Working Group.

The details: - Member countries discussed the creative economy, cultural heritage protection and culture-led sustainable development. - The discussions also focused on strengthening cultural industries and using digital technologies to promote cultural exchange. - Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the meeting reflected India’s cultural richness, spiritual consciousness and global leadership. - The program highlighted Varanasi’s key sites and traditions, including Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the River Ganga, Bharat Mata Temple, Banarasi silk and Banaras Hindu University. - Delegates visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and experienced the city’s traditions and hospitality. - The first day’s cultural program included a regional musical presentation and classical and folk dance performances from across India. - Delegates took a cruise on the River Ganga with Singh and saw Varanasi’s ghats and the Ganga Aarti. - The closing state dinner and cultural evening featured regional cuisine, handicrafts, cultural performances, Banarasi silk, traditional crafts and local artisan products. - Singh and Dr. Ved Pati Misra, Director General of the Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, met with the delegates during the event. - Before leaving, delegates visited Sarnath, including the Archaeological Site Museum and Interpretation Centre. - Sarnath is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world and a key stop on Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist Circuit.

Between the lines: - The meeting was not just a policy session; it was also a branding exercise for Uttar Pradesh’s tourism economy. - Varanasi’s religious sites, riverfront rituals and craft traditions gave the state a live demonstration of the cultural assets it is trying to market. - The mix of BRICS members and invited partners widened the audience for India’s cultural diplomacy. - The Sarnath visit extended the message beyond Hindu heritage and into Buddhist tourism, broadening Uttar Pradesh’s appeal.

What’s next: - The BRICS culture track is expected to keep advancing work on cultural cooperation, heritage protection and sustainable development. - Uttar Pradesh is likely to keep using major international gatherings to position Varanasi and nearby heritage sites on the global tourism map. - The state will continue promoting faith-based, cultural and heritage tourism as part of its international outreach.