While Russian President Vladimir Putin’s evil design to conquer Ukraine has faced a huge setback, the global condemnation of China’s assertive actions against Taiwan has also been far and wide. Legislative visits to Taiwan by the US, Japan, France and other countries in the past few months have punctured China’s bluff of treating Taiwan as part of its territory.
At the same time, the demand by several countries to include Taiwan as a member of the UN has also underscored the limitations of China’s economic clout.
India is also closely observing developments in the Taiwan Strait. Expressing its displeasure over China’s belligerent behavior against Taiwan, the Indian government last month asked for the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change the “status quo,” de-escalation of tensions, and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
India also refused to reaffirm the “one China” policy. This development assumes a huge significance in India’s policy toward Taiwan, because New Delhi in the past refrained from taking an open position on the Taiwan issue.
Of course, India’s changed position on the Taiwan-China issue has largely been conditioned by security considerations. New Delhi and Taipei share the convergence of security concerns emanating from China. While Taiwan is facing an existential threat from China, India faces a long-running border dispute with it. Although New Delhi has pursued peaceful means to address the border problem with Beijing, the Galwan Valley military clash between the two sides in 2020 underlined China’s malicious ambitions.
Consequently, a strong public clamor for fostering ties with Taiwan started in India. While the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deepened efforts to expand ties with Taiwan in the field of trade and commerce, as well as people-to-people engagement, New Delhi is reportedly also exploring the possibility of security cooperation with Taipei.
India has several reasons to foster and build a strong security and defense engagement with Taiwan.
First, China faces limitations in simultaneously opening two battlefronts against Taiwan and India. Therefore, it is in the security interest of India for Taiwan to continue to function as an independent country. The disappearance of Taiwan would enable China to squarely focus on increasing its military activities against India.
Second, China would further intensify its efforts to limit India’s influence in the South Asia-Indian Ocean region through the “string of pearls” policy.
Third, Taiwan’s strategic location is equally crucial for India. More than 50 percent of India’s trade takes place through the South China Sea and it is also engaged in oil exploration activities in the region. Although China has in the past objected to India’s presence in the region, Taiwan continues to play a pivotal role in preventing China from dominating the South China Sea region.
Chinese control over Taiwan would also affect India’s relations with Southeast Asian countries and could eventually prevent India from emerging as a major Asian power.
Therefore, the Indian government should not mistake a conflict between Taiwan and China as merely a local issue. It should explore the possibility of fostering security cooperation with Taiwan. In particular, maritime cooperation has the potential to emerge as a linchpin of strategic engagement between New Delhi and Taipei.
Unlike in the past, India has shown an inclination to have a military presence in the South China Sea. Last year, India sent a naval task force to the South China Sea to hold joint military exercises with the other Quadrilateral Security Dialogue members — the US, Japan and Australia — to promote freedom of navigation in the region. The time has come for India to consider holding similar military exercises with Taiwan.
Another possible area of military cooperation is intelligence sharing between the two sides. Taiwan has a better understanding of China’s strategic depth because of its close proximity, language and cultural ties. A closer relationship with Taipei would help New Delhi understand Beijing’s strategic thinking.
The fields of cybersecurity and space exploration also have huge prospects for cooperation between the two sides.
Taiwan has remained committed to strengthening its ties with India in all areas of shared interest. It is due to India’s lukewarm approach that the relationship has remained shallow. The time has come for India to bring its relationship with Taiwan out of the closet.
Sumit Kumar is a former Ministry of Foreign Affairs visiting fellow at National Chengchi University.
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