The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) had planned to host the high-profile “India Weekend” at the Lincoln Center on September 12. But just weeks before the event, organizers announced it would be delayed due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Although no official reason was given, the decision follows Washington’s move to sharply increase tariffs on imported Indian goods in response to India’s oil purchases from Russia. This has further strained U.S.-India relations, casting a shadow on cultural diplomacy efforts.
The postponement has fueled speculation that the Ambani family is recalibrating its global image amid tense political and economic crosswinds between the two nations, according to Reuters.
President Donald Trump s administration last week doubled tariffs on a range of Indian imports to as high as 50%. U.S. officials have criticized India s purchases of discounted Russian crude, saying they blunt efforts to end the Russian war in Ukraine, though they have not named Ambani.
Reliance Industries, controlled by Mukesh Ambani, operates the world s largest refining complex in Gujarat and is India s biggest buyer of Russian oil.
Nita Ambani, who is Mukesh Ambani s wife and who chairs the cultural centre, was due to host the cultural event featuring Michelin‑star chef Vikas Khanna and designer Manish Malhotra and a show called "The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation".
India has defended its purchases from Russia, which accounted for 35% of its supply in the first half of 2025, on economic grounds, and has criticised the U.S. and the European Union for singling out New Delhi over its Russian oil purchases.
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Reliance Industries has a crude supply arrangement for about 500,000 barrels per day with Russia s Rosneft, the largest such deal between India and Russia. Reliance also has significant exposure to the U.S. market.
In his annual address on Friday, Ambani urged Indian businesses to "work together with unity as a grand coalition" to shield the economy from external shocks, calling for greater self-reliance in key technologies and industries.
"This is not a cancellation, only a pause, and we remain fully committed to bringing NMACC to New York at a later date," the cultural centre said, adding ticket buyers will receive refunds.
The sudden postponement of the Ambani family’s cultural event in New York is more than just an arts story. It comes at a time when U.S.-India ties are under visible strain due to Washington’s pushback on New Delhi’s Russian oil trade.
For the Ambanis, one of India’s most influential families, cultural diplomacy is often a way to project soft power abroad. But in the current climate, even a glittering showcase like “India Weekend” risks being overshadowed by geopolitical tensions.
The move highlights how business, culture, and politics are deeply intertwined—and how even the wealthiest families are not immune to the ripple effects of global power struggles.
