Indonesia, Bangladesh Deepen Cultural Diplomacy Ahead of 55 Years of Bilateral Relations

DHAKA, July 30, 2026: Indonesia and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy and expanding people-to-people exchanges as both countries prepare to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

Listyowati, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Nitai Roy Chowdhury on 29 July 2026 to discuss ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Dhaka, was also attended by Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, along with senior officials from Bangladesh's Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation through cultural diplomacy, recognizing culture as an important pillar of foreign relations and a powerful instrument for enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of Indonesia and Bangladesh.

Both sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration across a broad range of cultural fields, including performing arts, visual arts, cultural heritage preservation, museums, literature, handicrafts, and the creative economy. They emphasized that increased cultural exchanges would further reinforce people-to-people connectivity, which remains a vital foundation for broadening bilateral cooperation in other sectors.

Officials noted that the planned cultural initiatives gain added significance as Indonesia and Bangladesh prepare to commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, a milestone expected to feature a series of joint cultural and public diplomacy programmes aimed at celebrating the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

During the meeting, Ambassador Listyowati also expressed Indonesia's interest in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh within the framework of UNESCO following Indonesia's election to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026–2030 term. She highlighted opportunities for both countries to collaborate on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and promoting shared cultural values through international platforms.

The meeting reflected the growing momentum in Indonesia-Bangladesh relations, where cultural engagement is increasingly viewed as an effective complement to cooperation in trade, education, tourism, and broader diplomatic relations.