“Honoring Culture and Camaraderie: Taiwan’s 114th National Day Celebrated in New Delhi”

The 114th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) was commemorated with grandeur and warmth at a reception held at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi, drawing a distinguished gathering of diplomats, dignitaries, and cultural enthusiasts.

The event, hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (TECC), served as a vibrant testament to the enduring friendship between Taiwan and India, while highlighting Taiwan’s global engagement.

Guests arriving at the venue were greeted with personalized hospitality, including brooches marking the 30th anniversary of  Taiwan & India at the registration desk, setting a festive and engaging tone for the evening. The celebration was presided over by H.E. Dr. Muh-Min Chen, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India, and Mrs. Chen, who warmly welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude for their presence on this momentous occasion.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Muh-Min Chen highlighted the shared democratic values, economic cooperation, and growing people-to-people ties between Taiwan and India. He emphasized Taiwan’s continued commitment to peace, prosperity, and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

H.E. Dr. Muh-Min Chen stated that over the past three decades, Taiwan and India have steadily deepened their cooperation in trade and investment, science and technology, education, and culture—demonstrating a strong and enduring commitment to working hand-in-hand with India.

In addition to our office in Delhi, we expanded our presence in 2012 and 2024 with new Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) offices in Chennai and Mumbai. Furthermore, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce now has branches in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. Our trade promotion office, TAITRA, also maintains a presence in four major Indian cities, further strengthening bilateral commercial ties.

As Prime Minister Modi himself has noted, Taiwan can serve as an inspiration for India’s development journey—highlighting the real potential to further deepen our cooperation. As President Lai has emphasized, Taiwan’s progress is rooted in the core values of democracy, innovation, and resilience. These are the values we are proud to share with our friends in India, said H.E. Dr. Muh-Min Chen.

Economic and Trade Cooperation
Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy and India’s Act East Policy have complemented each other since 2016, helping bilateral trade double from USD 5 billion to USD 10.6 billion by 2024. Today, over 300 Taiwanese companies have invested nearly USD 6 billion in India across sectors like textiles, machinery, petrochemicals, electronics, and banking—creating around 200,000 jobs.

Key semiconductor collaborations include the PSMC–Tata project in Gujarat, set to build India’s first 12-inch fab, and the Foxconn–HCL venture in Uttar Pradesh, producing display driver chips. These projects mark a major step in integrating Taiwan and India into global chip supply chains.

This growing momentum was evident at the recent Taiwan Expo in Delhi, where over 100 companies participated—half of them visiting India for the first time—showing strong confidence in India’s market.

Science and Technology Collaboration
Taiwan and India have completed over 150 joint research projects since 2009, with 50 ongoing annually, focusing on green energy, biomedical tech, and nanotechnology. In 2024, marine research institutes from both countries signed an MOU to enhance collaboration on ocean technologies.

Additionally, India and Taiwan have partnered on disaster prevention, signing an MOU to install P-Alert Plus sensors for seismic monitoring and early warning systems, supported by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Education Cooperation
Education has been a key pillar of Taiwan-India ties. Taiwan has established 42 Taiwan Education Centers in Indian universities, offering Mandarin courses and programs on Taiwan. Since 2016, the New Southbound Talent Development Program has provided scholarships, internships, and exchange opportunities, with over 3,000 Indian students currently studying in Taiwan.

In 2025, Taiwan awarded a record 150 government scholarships to India, the largest ever for a single country in one year. Taiwan also sponsors research opportunities and internships for Indian students.

A 2025 MoU between FICHET and AIU will promote joint research, exchanges, and dual degree programs, while new initiatives like the Taiwan Experience Education Program offer Indian students hands-on industry experience.

Cultural Diplomacy
Cultural exchange plays a key role in strengthening Taiwan-India ties. We’ve introduced Taiwanese music, theatre, and cinema through festivals and performances. Recently, the “Taiwan Indigenous Music Night” in New Delhi drew over 200 guests.

In November, Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-Tzi, whose novel Taiwan Travelogue won the U.S. National Book Award, will give a lecture in India.

In December, we’ll host the Taiwan Film Festival with the world premiere of Call Demon Hunter, the first Taiwan-India co-production, alongside a performance by Taiwan’s leading street dance group. We invite everyone to join these exciting events.

Think Tank
I would like to thank the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) for publishing the report Taiwan Beyond Semiconductors: Three Decades of India-Taiwan Relations and Emerging Collaboration two weeks ago. This is the first think tank report on Taiwan-India relations in a decade, marking the 30th anniversary of our representative offices and highlighting new areas for future cooperation across strategic, economic, and cultural dimensions. said H.E. Dr. Muh-Min Chen.

The reception drew a strong turnout from the diplomatic community in New Delhi, underscoring the global significance of the event. Diplomats from numerous countries joined in the celebration, reflecting international recognition of Taiwan’s contributions to regional and global development.

A striking feature of the evening was the cultural program, which showcased Taiwan’s rich heritage through traditional music, dance, and artistic presentations. These performances offered a window into the island’s vibrant cultural identity and underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties.

Guests were treated to a lavish spread that blended the culinary traditions of India and Taiwan, offering a unique fusion of flavors that delighted the palate. The thoughtfully curated menu was a highlight of the event, further enhancing the evening’s immersive experience.

Adding to the spirit of camaraderie, India extended its heartfelt greetings to Taiwan, reaffirming the shared values of democracy, innovation, and mutual respect that bind the two nations. The event marked not just a national milestone for Taiwan, but also a celebration of the growing synergy between New Delhi and Taipei.

The 114th National Day celebration in Delhi was more than a diplomatic occasion—it was a symbol of shared aspirations and a reaffirmation of the strong bonds that connect Taiwan with its friends around the world.

H.E. Dr. Muh-Min Chen concluded his speech by stating, “Tonight, we are delighted to showcase Taiwan’s innovation through products such as the TAYSIS UAV, ASUS computers, Kavalan Whisky, and Taiwanese Pop Tea. These items represent Taiwan’s pride, and I invite you all to experience them.”

In closing, he expressed his gratitude: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Sunit Bora, deputy Mr. Robert Hsieh, and the entire TECC team for their diligent efforts in organizing this event. Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for being here with us tonight.”