Diplomacy

Diwali Celebrations in Tamsui Draw Crowds and Highlight Ties With India

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By Patrick Chen/Irene Lin

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Crowds gathered at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf in New Taipei for celebrations to mark Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights. Organized by the India Taipei Association for the fourth consecutive year, the event featured traditional dance performances, henna art, food stalls and live music. Senior officials including National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, Vice Foreign Minister Baushuan Ger and India-Taipei Association Director General Ninad Deshpande highlighted closer relations between the two sides. With annual trade surpassing US$10 billion and new direct flights connecting Taipei and Delhi, leaders emphasized how cultural celebrations foster expanding economic, academic and industrial partnerships.

A dance inspired by ancient Indian mythology opens Diwali celebrations in Taiwan.

On the main day of the five-day holiday, crowds of Indian nationals gathered at the Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf in New Taipei... to come together far from home to celebrate.

Musical performances... art and crafts... and food stalls... all brought a taste of India to Taiwan... attracting both expats and curious locals.

INDIAN ATTENDEE:
"Now it feels like home in Taiwan because a lot of Indians and cultural events happening. Yeah. It feels good."

TAIWANESE ATTENDEE:
"I just got henna tattooing done. I've always really liked Indian food. Last year I also traveled to India with some friends. I really enjoyed it. There's an event today to win airline tickets. So I thought maybe I could win a ticket and go again."

The India Taipei Association, India’s de facto embassy in Taiwan, has organized the event for the past four years.

It says that although Taiwan and India are not diplomatic allies... there's been growing bilateral investment over the past decades.

And this year, the two sides have gotten closer... including establishing the first direct flights between Taipei and Delhi.

NINAD DESHPANDE, DIRECTOR GENERAL TAIPEI INDIA ASSOC.:
"I say that, you know, Taiwanese companies, Taiwanese industrial establishment, can look at India as a second production base and taking advantage of India's various trade agreement. They can also export to other parts of the world by manufacturing in India. As I am speaking with you just now, two, three universities approached me. They said that they are going to sign MOU with Indian universities, and they will be traveling by this flight to India. So I think that is a very welcome development that, you know, just having a direct flight is opening so many possibilities."

Taiwan's former foreign minister and former representative to India joined the event to greet old friends...

JOSEPH WU, SECRETARY GENERAL NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL:
"I would like to say to you, once again, something that's very close to my heart... I love India. Thank you. Happy Diwali!"

They say India is an important partner to Taiwan... and hope events like this can be held around the country.

BAUSHUAN GER, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER:
"We hope the direct flights will lead to more people-to-people exchanges. Previously, there were nearly 100,000 annual visits and exchanges between the two sides. Bilateral trade has continued to grow. This year, it has already exceeded US$10 billion. We hope it will grow even further in the future."

With the solid ties between India and Taiwan, the Diwali celebrations are building more human connections.

Patrick Chen and Irene Lin for TaiwanPlus.