The first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 4^th Augusr 2025. Inaugurating the event External Affairs Minister, Govt. of India Dr. S. Jaishankar said that music serves both as a bridge between nations and is also a powerful way for countries to express their heritage and identity. He said that obtaining respect and ensuring dignity of societies can also be achieved through cultural prowess. Mr. Jaishankar emphasized that music is considered as the soul of the society.

Artists from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand performed at the musical evening. Organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival called ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, witnessed the celebration of the distinct musical traditions of the seven BIMSTEC countries.

This event marks a significant cultural milestone in BIMSTEC cooperation. The genesis of this cultural initiative can be traced to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s affirmation at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand in April this year of India’s commitment to strengthening regional cultural ties through music by hosting the first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in India.

On the invitation of ICCR, Ministry of External Affairs Govt. of India, Dr. Faridoddin FaridAsr, Cultural Counselor of I. R. Iran, New Delhi & many other diplomats from different embassies & missions have attended the same.