Establishment of the Consulate General of India in Saint Denis in 1986 has enhanced cultural links between India and the Reunion, in addition to Consular and Visa services. Now there are a number of Indian cultural associations in all cities and municipalities of the Reunion. They   have successfully involved the local authorities to support the celebration of Indian festivals like Diwali, Tamil New Year etc. Gandhi Jayanthi is also celebrated every year in several cities, especially after the declaration of 2nd October as the International Day of Non-violence.  There are a number of local artistes who are active both in Indian classical and folk dance and instrumental music. A few Associations also arrange artistes from India at their own expenses for giving performances at various places along with local artistes. Classical Dance and Music classes and also Tamil and Hindi classes are organized by major Indian Associations. Tamil is taught in some select schools. Tamil and Hindi are also taught in the University of Reunion. The first celebration of the Diwali festival was held, in collaboration with the PIO Associations, by the Mayor of Saint Andre over 20 years ago and, thereafter, most of the other Municipalities have followed suit. The Tamil New Year is also celebrated across the Island by many Associations with the support of municipal authorities. The ICCR has regularly sent Indian cultural troupes to Reunion Island for performances on the occasion of Diwali, Tamil New Year and Gandhi Jayanthi etc.

Indian Culture Centre in Saint Denis started functioning in 2016. Regular classes for Bharat Natyam are held at the culture centre by a qualified dance teacher deputed from India by the ICCR. The ICC also collaborates with Indian community associations for organizing various Indian cultural programs throughout the year. 

Delegations from Reunion have been regularly and enthusiastically participating in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) conferences since 2006 though individual participants have been attending since 2002. In 2012, a 40-member joint delegation led by Mr. Serge Camatchy, Vice President of the Regional Council, alongwith a business delegation, participated at the PBD celebrations in Jaipur. A delegation from Reunion also participated in the Regional PBD conference in Mauritius on 27 - 28 October 2012.  A large delegation participated in the PBD Sammelan in Kochi from 7-9 January 2013 also. Three prominent personalities from Indian Diaspora in the Reunion have been decorated with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. Mr. Jean Paul Virapoulle, a former Senator, was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2006. In 2013, Mr. Gilbert Canabady Moutien, a successful businessman from Saint Pierre was conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the Hon’ble President of India at Kochi. Mr. Jean Regis Ramasamy recieved the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2021 for his contribution in the field of Media and community service. 

*****