During his visit to the India Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur expressed his vision to position India as the “content sub-continent” of the world, aiming to generate millions of jobs in the country. Thakur acknowledged the significant role of Indian films in projecting the nation’s soft power globally and emphasized the impact of the film industry on shaping India’s image.

The India Pavilion, attracting 1.7 million visitors, has become a major attraction at the Expo. Thakur highlighted that as India celebrates 75 years of independence, the festivities extend not only within the country but also abroad. Recognizing the contribution of Indian people in Dubai as true “brand ambassadors,” he praised their role in promoting India.

In a discussion with Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh on ‘The Global Reach of Indian Media and Entertainment Industry,’ Thakur emphasized the potential for Indian content to make a global impact. Singh echoed this sentiment, stating that Indian entertainment is on the verge of gaining recognition worldwide, with stories that resonate and connect with people across cultural boundaries.

Earlier in the day, Thakur held discussions with Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Stressing the significance of Dubai on the global tourism map, Thakur noted the preference of Indians to travel to Dubai over Western capitals like London during the pandemic. The discussions reflected the strategic importance of Dubai in India’s engagement with the global entertainment and tourism sectors.