Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu (second right) is joined by ITA Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav (center) and other officials and business representatives to open Diwali celebrations Nov. 5 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

A Diwali celebration—the Hindu Festival of Lights—was held Nov. 5 at Yanping Riverside Park in Taipei City, spotlighting the growing friendship between Taiwan and New Southbound Policy country India.

Jointly organized by the Taipei City Government and the India Taipei Association, the event attracted over 1,000 citizens and Indian expatriates, including Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and ITA Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav. Traditional food, music and dance performances celebrated the festival, while stalls introduced education courses in India, as well as tourism and cultural-experience offerings, including yoga.

Wu said Indian cuisine and Bollywood movies are popular in Taiwan. He took the opportunity to thank ITA for hosting various cultural activities to deepen people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The relationship between Taiwan and India is going from strength to strength, especially in economics, education and supply chains, Wu said. Bilateral trade totaled a record high US$8.4 billion in 2022 and the ministry has announced a new representative office for Mumbai in July, he added.

Yadav said he is happy to see many Taiwanese people joining Indian friends to celebrate the festival. The event marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, he added, expressing his hope that the two sides will continue to promote global peace and stability in the spirit of Diwali.

Starting Nov. 10, the five-day Diwali festival is the beginning of the new year for some Indians, during which they offer tribute to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune, by lighting earthen lamps. (YCH-E)