By AMIT KUMAR
Varanasi will host the BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting on June 4–5, bringing global attention to Kashi’s GI-tagged crafts, ODOP products, and rich cultural legacy.
Varanasi, June 2, 2026 — Kashi, one of the world’s oldest living cities and the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is preparing to host another major international event as the BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting will be held on June 4 and 5 in Varanasi. The meeting will take place at the Taj Hotel and will bring together senior diplomats, policymakers, cultural experts, and distinguished delegates from BRICS member countries.
After successfully hosting several G20 meetings, Varanasi is once again emerging as a focal point of global diplomatic and cultural engagement. The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has positioned the state as a growing hub for international events by promoting cultural heritage, tourism, and local industries through targeted initiatives.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Information Department, the upcoming BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting will serve as a platform to showcase Kashi’s rich artistic traditions on the global stage. A special exhibition featuring GI-tagged and ODOP (One District One Product) products of Varanasi will be organized alongside the event.
Six master artisans will present six iconic crafts that reflect the centuries-old heritage of the city. These include Banaras Gulabi Meenakari craft, Banaras brocade and sarees, Varanasi soft stone jali work, wooden lacquerware and toys, Banaras metal repoussé craft, and Banaras glass beads. These products are globally recognized symbols of Kashi’s cultural and artistic identity.
Officials stated that the exhibition will not only introduce international delegates to the uniqueness of these crafts but also provide local artisans with direct exposure to global markets, enhancing export opportunities and strengthening the rural economy.
India, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE are among the BRICS member countries expected to be represented at the meeting.
Artisans and experts have welcomed the initiative. Padma Shri GI expert Rajnikant said the presence of BRICS delegates offers “a major opportunity for local artists to access international markets.” National Awardee Rameshwar Singh noted that such platforms help artisans transition from local recognition to global visibility.
Similarly, Kunj Bihari, a national awardee in Gulabi Meenakari, said the initiative reflects strong support for India’s traditional crafts, while glass bead artisan Durga Prasad Patel described it as a “global stage for India’s cultural heritage.”
Under the Yogi government’s ODOP and GI promotion policies, thousands of artisans across Uttar Pradesh have already benefited through improved marketing, branding, and export opportunities. The upcoming BRICS meeting is expected to further strengthen Kashi’s identity as a global cultural and craft capital.
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