The Embassy of India in Budapest celebrated ITEC Day 2026 on 14 October 2026 at the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre, Budapest, bringing together alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, distinguished guests and representatives of Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The celebration highlighted the important role of the ITEC Programme in strengthening international cooperation, sharing India’s developmental expertise and fostering enduring people-to-people ties.
Established by the Government of India in 1964, the ITEC Programme is a flagship initiative for international capacity building and technical cooperation. Through specialised training courses in diverse fields, the programme enables partner countries to benefit from India’s experience, expertise and developmental achievements while building professional networks and lasting institutional linkages. Since 2014, the ITEC Programme has provided training opportunities to 33 professionals from Hungary and 14 from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ITEC alumni from Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina shared their experiences of specialised training in India. Hungarian alumni Mr. Péter Szennay and Mr. Zoltán Erdélyi highlighted their training in yoga and digital public infrastructure, respectively, while Ms. Thanh Lien Hoang The, currently attending a yoga trainers’ programme in India, shared her experience. Alumni from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Radomir Mutabdžija and Mr. Momčilo Renovica, also shared video messages on their training in data analytics and sustainable cities, respectively.
The celebration also showcased India’s rich cultural heritage through musical and dance performances. A musical presentation featuring Mr. Durgesh Kanwal, tabla teacher at the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre, and Mr. Mátyás Egervári on the cimbalom brought together Indian and Hungarian musical traditions. A dance presentation titled “Charishnu”, featuring Ms. Priya Garg, Kathak teacher and performer at the Centre, Ms. Zselyke Molnár, Odissi artist, and Ms. Sindhu Ravipati, Kuchipudi artist, added a vibrant cultural dimension to the occasion.
The Ambassador of India to Hungary felicitated the ITEC alumni speakers in recognition of their participation and engagement with the programme. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of the ITEC Programme as a key part of India’s development cooperation and its commitment to sharing knowledge, skills and experience with partner countries.
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He also noted the programme’s role in strengthening bilateral relations, promoting mutual understanding and building people-to-people ties. Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ambassador highlighted India’s guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), emphasising India’s belief in cooperation, shared progress and the well-being of all.
H.E. Mr. Iván Medveczky, Deputy State Secretary for Relations with the South at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the strong historical ties between India and Hungary and the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries. He appreciated India’s efforts to share its knowledge, skills and experience with partner countries through the ITEC Programme, noting its valuable contribution to capacity-building and strengthening bilateral relations.
The celebration highlighted the positive experiences of ITEC alumni and the Programme’s contribution to promoting knowledge exchange, professional collaboration and closer people-to-people ties between India, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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