I was in India for six months from August 2012 to February 2013, on a professional development opportunity. Oz Fest was the Australia International Cultural Council (AICC) Focus Country Program for 2012 and formed part of a whole-of-government advocacy and public diplomacy strategy in India. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade committed approximately $1 million to Oz Fest, with state and federal government agencies, universities, institutional partners and Indian and Australian companies sponsoring the event with an additional $2 million.