The Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (Indian Council for International Co-operation) was founded in 1978 under the stewardship of Shri Dharam Vira, former Governor of West Bengal. The Parishad is a voluntary, non-political and non-profit organisation with the aim of promoting and sharing India's spiritual and cultural heritage and the Indian Philosophy of universality of human race and to find common ground in various faiths and philosophy of the world by close interaction.

To Promote goodwill and understanding with the people of the world and thus improve the people-to-people relationship with other countries.

To organise cultural exchanges between the scholars and writers of India and other countries and to identify the heritage of human beings.

To support studies and research on countries to promote better understanding of the people of India.

To promote an awareness of the problems of indians abroad, and also publicise their achievementsin their adopted countries.

To organise hospitality to foreigners, particularly those of Indian origin , visiting India and provide facilities for their spiritual and cultural needs.

To provide assistance to students from abroad especially the students from the Indian diaspora.

To liaise with other cultural organisations in India and abroad, especially organisations having similar objectives and exchange information and visits.

To provide all facilities to Indians abroad to know and understand their "roots".

To build Pravasi Bhawan for reference library and research centre for the Indian Diaspora