This article covers the Indian community in Suriname and its institutions, the Indian Cultural Centre, the promotion of Hindi, and cultural performances and festivals. The information comes from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of June 2026.

Indian community

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, the Indian diaspora constitutes over 27% of Suriname's population of about 6.2 lakhs, and there are also some 50 Sindhi families. The brief says the diaspora is connected with its roots in India.

During her visit in June 2023, President Murmu visited two Indian temples, the Arya Diwaker temple and the Vishnu Mandir of Sanatana Dharma Mahasabha, and donated US$ 25000 to each of these organisations. A proposal from the Association Sanatan Dharm Maha Sabha (SDMS) to set up a Shiva Dhama Vriddh Ashram, a nursing home for seniors in the District of Wanica, with an estimated budget of US$ 2.8 million, has also been approved in principle.

Indian Cultural Centre and Hindi

The Indian Cultural Centre in Suriname opened in 1978 to promote Indian cultural practices, the Hindi language, classical dance, yoga and classical music. Until 2019, India provided a yearly grant of US $29500 for the promotion of Hindi in Suriname through the Suriname Hindi Parishad.

The brief describes Suriname as "the most prominent foreign country in the world in the field of promotion of Hindi language". Hindi speakers in Suriname have been conferred the World Hindi award for their work in promoting Hindi. In 2023, Dr. Dew Sharman, then Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, received the World Hindi award.

Cultural performances

The brief records visits by Indian cultural groups, several of them sponsored by ICCR:

  • a 12-member ICCR-sponsored Bhangra group, which performed on 26 & 27 November 2017 for Deepavali and the Independence Day of Suriname
  • a four-member musical group led by Radhika Chopra, sponsored by ICCR, from 27 May to 07 June 2018, for the 145th anniversary of the Indian arrival in Suriname
  • a Ramlila group from the Ayodhya Research Institute, which held performances across Suriname in July-August 2018
  • a six-member Rajasthani folk group led by Gazi Khan, from 16-20 February 2019
  • an eight-member Qawwali group led by Mohammad Ahmad Warsi, from 17-22 March 2019, for the Holi/Phagwa festival
  • a 10-member ICCR-sponsored Kathak group led by Rani Khanam, from 01-06 June 2023
  • the ICCR-sponsored group 'Brij Sanskrit Kala Manch', which performed Ras Leela, Mayur and Deepak dances at two sites in Paramaribo on 22-23 October 2025

A classical Kathak troupe led by Dr. Samiksha Sharma also performed in Paramaribo and Commovijene from 22-24 January; the brief gives no year for this visit.

The Rani Khanam group performed at events commemorating 150 years of Indian arrival in Suriname, including a performance on 5 June 2023 at Independence Square, Paramaribo, with the President of India and the President of Suriname as Chief Guests. In the other direction, a Ramlila group from Suriname took part in the Kumbh Mela 2019, sponsored by the Ayodhya Research Institute.

Festivals and commemorations

Under the Promotion of Cultural Ties with Diaspora (PCTD) initiative, Indian festivals such as Holi-Phagwa, Diwali and Ayurveda Day are celebrated with the participation of dignitaries and the diaspora. The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is also celebrated with participation from citizens of Suriname.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), a 75-week celebration of 75 years of India's independence, was observed with a series of events culminating in a mega event on 15th August 2022. In February 2024, Hindu organisations in Suriname organised ceremonies to commemorate the Pran Pratishtha ceremony held at the temple in Ayodhya.

On 30 March 2024, the 59th ITEC day was celebrated along with the Holi festival. A dance group led by Mr. Bhola Pandey performed in 3 different districts.