In a noteworthy development aimed at fostering cultural ties, S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs, declared that the Indian government has decided to designate Farsi (Persian) as one of the nine classical languages in India under the New Education Policy.
During a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, H. Amir-Abdollahian, on Monday, Jaishankar, who is currently on a two-day visit to Iran, highlighted the cultural, literary, and linguistic connections between Iran and India. He stated, “The government of India has decided to include Farsi as one of the nine classical languages of India in our New Education Policy,” underscoring the importance of incorporating Farsi’s rich heritage into the Indian educational system. Tamil was the initial language in India to attain classical language status in 2004, with Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia subsequently receiving similar recognition.
The National Education Policy-2020 of India emphasizes the preservation of Pali, Persian, and Prakrit, along with their literary works, for their cultural richness and the enjoyment and enrichment of future generations.
During the press conference, Jaishankar and Amir-Abdollahian delved into the political and economic dimensions of their bilateral relations, highlighting the multifaceted nature of diplomatic engagement. They acknowledged the robust people-to-people connections and the profound cultural, literary, and linguistic bonds between the two nations, emphasizing the potential for expanded cooperation across various domains.
