Not just trade: How the India pavilion at World Expo Osaka 2025 blends everything from Ajanta to AI

At the World Expo Osaka 2025, India took the strategic approach — using culture as capital. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), says the India Pavilion was envisioned not just as a platform for trade promotion, but as a demonstration of civilisational strength and cultural soft power. The 184-day expo that began in April 13 and will continue till October 13, 2025 in Osaka, Japan, is an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. By blending heritage with innovation — from ancient craftsmanship to space technology — the India pavilion positioned the country as a nation where tradition drives future-ready thinking and global influence is shaped as much by values as by economic metrics. Edited excerpts.

Economic Times (ET): What was your original vision when you set out to conceptualise the India Pavilion at World Expo Osaka 2025?
Sachchidanand Joshi (SJ):When we began conceptualising the India Pavilion, our vision extended far beyond showcasing trade and commerce. While expos traditionally served as platforms for economic dialogue, today they are also cultural statements. We envisioned a space that reflects India’s civilisational journey — one that embodies our cultural legacy, philosophical ethos, and contemporary aspirations. The Pavilion is designed not just to highlight India’s economic progress, but also to represent our civilisational wisdom as a model for global growth and harmony.



ET: How did you translate India’s timeless cultural identity into a future-forward, immersive space?
SJ: We drew inspiration from iconic symbols like the Ajanta caves, which evoke wonder and reverence across the world — especially in regions influenced by Buddhism. We reimagined that same spirit using contemporary digital tools to create an immersive, sensorial experience. Structurally, we transcended the conventional by transforming a rectangular building into a lotus-inspired form. The petals — engineered to change hues with light — create an interplay of heritage and futurism. Our approach to “future-forward” was subtle but deeply impactful, rooted in aesthetics and timeless symbolism rather than excessive digital display.


ET: What role did technology and storytelling play in shaping the Pavilion’s immersive narrative?
SJ: Storytelling was central to the Pavilion’s design. Rather than disjointed exhibits, we created a continuous, evolving narrative — from the Mohenjo-daro bronze girl to Chandrayaan. Each segment builds on the previous, weaving India’s civilisational arc through heritage sites, indigenous technologies like terracotta, and modern engineering marvels like Vande Bharat trains. Technology served as a facilitator — not to overwhelm, but to connect the audience emotionally with India’s journey from ancient roots to contemporary innovation.

ET: How did you strike a balance between ancient inspiration and contemporary expression?
SJ: The balance came naturally because in Indian philosophy, tradition and modernity are not opposites — they are intertwined. We followed the idea of nityanutan cha puratan — “eternal yet ever-evolving.” That essence shaped our design approach. Rather than force a juxtaposition, we embraced continuity. The cultural motifs and values were seamlessly expressed using contemporary materials and forms, making the Pavilion a living bridge between the past and the future.


ET: You’ve often spoken of India’s cultural roots as a source of soft power. How do you see the arts — especially when combined with innovation — contributing to India’s global influence today?
SJ: India’s culture is not merely soft power — it is strong power. Across the globe, India is first recognized for its heritage. Our economy, science, and defense may be growing rapidly, but our identity remains deeply rooted in cultural depth. By integrating artistic expression with innovation, we are able to present a compelling, relatable narrative to global audiences. Whether through design, craft, or storytelling, India’s message resonates more powerfully when it is anchored in tradition and elevated by technology.


ET: From Ajanta to AI — that’s a powerful arc. How does the IGNCA interpret the meeting point of tradition and technology?
SJ: We engaged experts across disciplines — from cultural historians to tech leaders — to explore how our civilisational ethos can inform modern innovation. The result is an approach where cultural roots are not compromised but enhanced by technology. It is not about creating a binary between the past and future — it is about ensuring they travel together.


ET: What message does the India Pavilion send to the world about the kind of future India envisions? Is it more about continuity, reinvention, or a fusion of both?
SJ: The Pavilion represents civilisational continuity rooted in sustainable ideals. The Expo’s theme of “Designing future society for our lives” finds its natural expression in India’s ancient wisdom — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. Our tagline, Yatra Vishwam Bhavati Eka Needam, reflects that vision of unity and coexistence. The future we envision is one where tradition and technology coexist, where prosperity is built on inclusiveness, and where progress is aligned with purpose.


ET: How are you engaging India’s youth — students, artists, and creators — in this global celebration of Indian culture? What does the Pavilion offer them as a platform or inspiration?
SJ: The Pavilion is as participatory as it is immersive. From yoga sessions to craft workshops and digital experiences, we’ve created opportunities for youth engagement at every level. Young visitors interact with artisans, learn from cultural demonstrations, and contribute through collaborative spaces. Despite time limits at the Expo, visitors often spend hours here — a testament to the Pavilion’s dynamic ability to engage, inspire, and educate.


ET: In what ways does IGNCA today function as an instrument of cultural diplomacy? How do international platforms like the Expo expand its mission and reach?
SJ: IGNCA serves as India’s cultural think tank and repository. Our work in research, documentation, and cultural curation enables us to support India’s diplomatic narrative with authenticity and depth. Platforms like the Expo allow us to extend that role globally. By showcasing India’s cultural richness in such a global context, IGNCA helps shape perceptions, build cultural bridges, and advance India’s position as a knowledge-driven, value-based civilisation.


ET: What does leading such a globally visible cultural initiative teach you about the importance of narrative — and the responsibility of curating one for a nation?
SJ: This journey reaffirmed the power of believing in your roots. Often, in trying to imitate global trends, we risk losing our own voice. But when we build with conviction in our heritage, the results resonate deeply. It also showed me that we, as Indians, have the talent, vision, and capacity to create world-class experiences. The Pavilion is almost entirely made in India — from concept to design — and that in itself is a story of cultural and creative self-reliance. It taught me that the narrative of a nation must come from within — rooted in truth, elevated by creativity, and guided by purpose.