Culture, education and Indians in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This article covers cultural relations between India and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including the friendship associations, festivals, Yoga and Ayurveda events, tourism promotion, education fairs and the Indian community. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of July 2026.

Friendship associations

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, two associations organise cultural events regularly: the "BiH - India Friendship Society", based in Sarajevo, and the "BH-Indian Association", based in Mostar.

Festivals and cultural events

The Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC), Embassy of India, took part in the Sarajevo Winter Festival in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. At these events it presented dance and music performances, as well as Yoga and Ayurveda presentations and workshops.

Other events recorded in the brief include:

AYUSH Days in Mostar and Sarajevo, organised by the Embassy in 2018
promotion of Ayurveda and the States of India on the sidelines of the Republic Day in Sarajevo in 2019
the 6th Indian Film Festival, organised in 2021 in collaboration with leading TV Channels

International Day of Yoga

The first International Day of Yoga (IDY) in BiH was celebrated in Sarajevo on 21 June 2015. Since then, ASCC, Embassy of India, has marked the occasion every year in various cities of BiH.

In 2024, the 10th International Day of Yoga was marked with the support of the BiH-India Friendship Society, with Yoga sessions in three cities: Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar. In 2025, the 11th International Day of Yoga was again celebrated with the Society's support in the same three cities. The 12th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in Sarajevo on 16th June 2026.

Tourism

India took part in the 39th Sarajevo Tourism Festival in October 2017 as a Partner Country. The inaugural ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Federation of BiH. The brief adds that in 2018, India Tourism Frankfurt represented India.

The promotion of tourism between the two countries was among the subjects discussed at the 4th Foreign Office Consultations in November 2024.

Education

The Embassy took part in the 8th and 9th Scholarship Fairs organised at the University of Sarajevo, in 2017 and 2018. The brief lists higher education, in IT and Medicine, among the areas where business opportunities exist, and records that the 4th Foreign Office Consultations discussed people-to-people contacts through students and youth exchange.

The Indian community

The brief gives the number of Indians in BiH as "around 600 hundred", including 320 students.

Questions and answers

How many Indians live in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The MEA brief of July 2026 gives the number of Indians in Bosnia and Herzegovina as 'around 600 hundred', including 320 students.

Where is International Day of Yoga celebrated in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The first IDY was held in Sarajevo on 21 June 2015. In 2024 and 2025 sessions were held in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar, and the 12th IDY was celebrated in Sarajevo on 16th June 2026.

Is there an India friendship society in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Yes. The brief names the BiH - India Friendship Society, based in Sarajevo, and the BH-Indian Association, based in Mostar, which organise cultural events regularly.

Sources

This article reports what the sources state at their date and does not add facts from elsewhere. Figures, office holders and agreements may have changed since. Diplo is independent and not affiliated with any government. Suggest a correction.