New Delhi, April 28, 2026: Marking ten years of India’s Act East Policy and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and India, the ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp 3.0 exhibition opens at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), New Delhi. Organized from April 20 to April 24, 2026, the exhibition serves as a soulful reminder that the language of art continues to resonate across boundaries.
Presented by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with SEHER, the exhibition is an extension of the third edition of the ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp held from March 29 to April 7, 2025, in Shillong, Meghalaya. Regarded as India’s gateway to ASEAN, Shillong offered a setting where artists could engage closely with both landscape and local culture, shaping the works on display. The camp witnessed participation from 21 artists, including all ten member countries of ASEAN, one artist from Timor-Leste as the Observer Country, and ten artists from India. All the artists have produced paintings based on their unique cultural background yet intertwined in a shared narrative.
The exhibition was inaugurated on 20th April 2026 at SSIFS, New Delhi, by Dean Raj Kumar Srivastava, in the presence of Joint Secretary Smt. Anita Shukla and curator Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava. The exhibition was witnessed by Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (IP and Oceania), amongst many other notablepresence. The opening brought together members of the diplomatic community, artists, and cultural practitioners, creating a space for dialogue that extended beyond the artworks themselves.
The exhibition in New Delhi marks the first showcase of these works, which will later travel across the ASEAN Member States. Curated by Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director of SEHER, the exhibition features paintings created on the theme “Echoes of Ramayana: Artistic Journeys across ASEAN and India.” Drawing from the wide and enduring cultural narratives, the works explore how stories continue to evolve across geographies, adapting to context while retaining a shared cultural memory.
Expressing how art transcends boundaries and resonates with the audience worldwide, Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director, SEHER, said, “Art is powerful. And when combined with stories, it transcends boundaries, becoming a shared language that speaks to the heart before it reaches the mind. It carries emotions across cultures, dissolves distances, and reminds us of the quiet truths we all hold within. In its purest form, art doesn’t just connect us; it allows us to see ourselves in one another, creating moments of understanding that feel both deeply personal and universally human. This idea was reflected in the thematic curation inspired by the Ramayana. As a foundational cultural epic across ASEAN nations, adapted into unique national versions over centuries, the Ramayana was chosen as the theme. Its timeless narratives continue to resonate across cultures and generations, giving artists the space to create their own interpretations based on the version prevalent in their countries.”
Presented alongside “Special Course for Diplomats from ASEAN Countries,” the exhibition gains a new dimension, placing art at the centrestage of diplomacy. It opens doors for conversations that explore the intersection of culture and policy, allowing the visiting delegates from all ASEAN member countries, including ASEAN Secretariat, to experience the region’s connections not just through discussion, but through visual narratives.
On the concluding day of the exhibition, Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava will also lead a session on Cultural Diplomacy – Connecting People for visiting ASEAN delegates as part of the “Special Course for Diplomats from ASEAN Countries.” Building on the ideas reflected in the exhibition, the session will explore how cultural diplomacy through art, storytelling, and shared heritage acts as a powerful bridge between nations, fostering trust and mutual understanding. Beyond formal political frameworks, it will offer delegates a deeper perspective on how creative expression can serve as a universal language, enabling meaningful connections and long-term cultural ties across the ASEAN-India region.
This exhibition is organized by SEHER, a premier cultural body from India, committed to curating, conceptualizing, and showcasing world-class arts and culture events all over the world. Since its inception, SEHER has been involved in cultural diplomacy by thoughtfully sharing the vast and diverse culture of India with audiences worldwide. Working closely with the governments, ministries, embassies, and cultural organizations, SEHER ensures that art builds bridges by being deeply felt and shared.
Bringing together voices from across borders, the exhibition reflects the evolving relationship between ASEAN and India, one that is rooted not only in policy and partnership but also in cultural understanding. In this context, the exhibition becomes more than a display. It is a point of convergence where artistic practice, cultural memory, and dialogue come together, shaping connections that continue beyond the duration of the show.
