Taiwan's representative office in New Delhi used its national day reception to announce the restart of the Taiwan-India parliamentary friendship group, a win for closer ties between the two democracies.

• The friendship group between lawmakers in both countries is back up and running, with 23 Indian members of parliament signed on.
• Trade between Taiwan and India is booming: the first eight months of this year already beat all of last year, up 60% from the same period.
• EVA Air starts direct Taipei-Delhi flights on December 1, making travel easier for business people, students and tourists.
• Taiwan's own economy grew more than 14% in the first half of the year on strong global demand for its tech products.
• Cooperation is spreading beyond chips and electronics — Indian tea growers are now using Taiwanese machines and know-how to make black tea.

Outlook: With more lawmakers involved and a direct air link opening in December, Taiwan and India look set to keep deepening trade and people-to-people ties despite having no formal diplomatic relations.