Culture, education and the Indian community in Lebanon

This article describes cultural and educational links between India and Lebanon, the friendship bodies that support them, and the Indian community living in Lebanon. It draws on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of July 2026, and community figures are given as of that brief.

Indian culture in Lebanon

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, the Lebanese people have traditionally admired Indian music, films and cuisine, and an increasing number are interested in yoga. The Embassy of India organises yoga classes once a week at the Chancery premises, which the brief says are well attended by Lebanese yoga practitioners and members of the Indian diaspora.

The brief records large and enthusiastic participation in the Mission's public events for the International Day of Yoga since 2015. The Embassy celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga in Beirut on 21 June 2026. Tourism Minister Ms Laura Lahoud was Chief Guest, and Dr. Fadi Alameh, MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs & Emigrants, was Guest of Honour. The Indian Battalion in UNIFIL also marked the day in South Lebanon, with peacekeepers from several nations taking part.

Tagore and Khalil Jibran

The brief notes that the Lebanese-American author, painter and philosopher Khalil Jibran was a close friend of the Nobel laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. A bust of Tagore, based on a portrait painting by Khalil Jibran and presented by ICCR, was installed at the Jibran Museum in Bsharre, North Lebanon, in September 2025. The Mission celebrated Tagore's birth anniversary at the same museum on 7 May 2026.

Other cultural activity

Lebanon was the Partner Country at the Surajkund Mela in February 2015, and visiting Agriculture Minister Mr. Akram Chehayeb inaugurated the Lebanese Pavilion there.

Books on India have been donated to schools and universities, and Bharat Corners have been set up. The Promotion of Cultural Ties with the Diaspora (PCTD) event held in Beirut in July 2025 featured a performance by the 15 member ICCR-sponsored Amaiza Group, led by Ms. Nitisha Nanda, and drew a large diaspora audience. The brief states that cultural activities organised by the Mission with universities and other local partners are extremely popular.

The Embassy also organised a Viksit Bharat Run of 3 km on 26 September 2025. It was attended by members of the Indian community, Lebanese nationals and friends of India, with Sports & Youth Minister Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian as Chief Guest.

Friendship bodies

The brief states that the Embassy of India works closely with several local organisations. The most notable are the Lebanese-Indian Friendship Parliamentary Committee (LIFPC), headed by senior Parliamentarian H.E. Mr. Ali Osseiran, and the Association for Development of Lebanese-Indian Relations (ADLIR). The brief describes their role as strengthening people-to-people contacts and cooperation in diverse sectors.

Cultural and educational agreements

Three of the agreements listed in the brief concern culture and education:

Cultural Exchange Agreement, signed on 7 April 1997 and ratified in February 2000, which is automatically renewed every 5 years
MoU for an Educational Exchange Programme, signed on 30 June 2013, valid for 5 years and to be automatically renewed every 5 years
MoU on a student exchange programme between Delhi University and Lebanese University, signed on 4 March 2021

The Indian community

As of July 2026, the brief puts the Indian community in Lebanon at around 1500 members. This includes about 350 Indian nationals working on the new US Chancery Building Project. The rest are employed as workers in companies, the construction sector and agricultural farms. The community lives in North Beirut and Northern Lebanon.

The brief states that the Embassy attaches the highest priority to reaching out to the Indian community in an earnest, active, helpful and broad-based manner, and to ensuring its well being and welfare. The Embassy's role during the conflict of March 2026 is described in the practical article of this guide.

Since the brief of July 2026

Later developments in India and Lebanon relations, from MEA publications, newest first. The article above reports the brief at its date.

Questions and answers

How many Indians live in Lebanon?

The MEA brief of July 2026 puts the Indian community in Lebanon at around 1500, including about 350 Indian nationals working on the new US Chancery Building Project.

What is the link between Tagore and Khalil Jibran?

The brief notes that Khalil Jibran was a close friend of Rabindranath Tagore. A bust of Tagore based on a portrait by Jibran was installed at the Jibran Museum in Bsharre in September 2025.

Is there a cultural agreement between India and Lebanon?

Yes. A Cultural Exchange Agreement was signed on 7 April 1997 and ratified in February 2000, and it is automatically renewed every 5 years.

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.