Taiwan’s elections marked several unprecedented developments. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured its third consecutive presidential term, a historic feat, as no party in Taiwan had previously achieved this milestone. Moreover, the results garnered international attention, with countries sending congratulatory messages to the president-elect, Vice President William Lai (賴清德).
During DPP election rallies, it became evident that the majority of Taiwanese resonated with President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) foreign-policy approach. When Tsai assumed power eight years ago, China suspended cross-strait dialogue, heightened tensions through intensified “gray zone” activities and sought to diminish Taiwan’s international space.
Despite a reduction in the number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the country has gained traction and its engagement with non-diplomatic partners and like-minded democracies has grown.
Lai has stated his intention to uphold Tsai’s cross-strait “status quo” and continue her broader foreign policy approach. It appears highly probable that his administration is to prioritize continuity, with an emphasis on bolstering ties with like-minded democracies. Continued focus on the New Southbound Policy seems likely, given its successes. Taiwan has also seen closer ties with India and Australia as a result.
India held significant importance during the Tsai administration, and it would not be surprising that Lai would continue to prioritize relations with New Delhi. India has until now refrained from extending congratulations to the president-elect, despite a strategic shift in its approach to Taiwan.
The absence of a congratulatory message should not be misconstrued as a lack of interest. Quite the opposite, India is embracing a more deliberate and serious approach to cultivating an enduring partnership with Taiwan across diverse domains. This strategic shift signals India’s departure from strict adherence to China’s red lines, distinguishing it as the sole major country to unequivocally abandon references to the “one China” policy. Rather than conforming to conventional expectations of sending congratulatory messages, India’s evolving Taiwan policy signifies a genuine intent to build substantive and meaningful connections.
In light of India’s formidable challenges, particularly within its borders and in managing China’s incursions, the evolving Taiwan policy appears to adopt a more nuanced approach. It places a premium on attaining tangible outcomes and nurturing robust relationships, favoring a measured approach over overt vocalization and recognizing the need for strategic and thoughtful engagement.
Beyond India’s Taiwan policy, it is imperative for the incoming Lai administration to continue fostering strong ties with India, a pivotal country within the New Southbound Policy framework and the Indo-Pacific vision. It is only logical for Lai’s administration to prioritize India and elevate its efforts to engage with it.
Despite considerable achievements, a renewed perspective to utilize untapped potential is essential. It is prudent for the new administration to strengthen the New Southbound Policy, with India retaining its status as a focal country. To advance relations, Lai could consider taking several strategic steps. Despite India’s momentum and support for Taiwan, there is ample room for bolstering ties.
Chinese disinformation on the now-shelved India-Taiwan migration and mobility pact inflicted significant harm on progress made in India-Taiwan relations. The Lai administration should contemplate restarting negotiations to effectively address and overcome the damage caused by the disinformation surrounding the pact.
The focus should also extend to bolstering education ties and attracting more students from India for language training and higher education. Enhancing education and professional collaborations, particularly in the realms of science and technology, would greatly contribute to the bolstering of bilateral relations.
Similar to the Tsai administration, Lai should encourage semiconductor giants to explore opportunities in India. While India has been seeking Taiwanese investments to support its semiconductor industry ecosystem, it is now opportune for Taiwan to consider India a viable and serious investment destination.
India, too, should play its part in bolstering this partnership. There is vocal acknowledgement that economic ties with Taiwan are crucial, and it increasingly sees Taiwan as a key economic and technology partner.
India should also take Taiwan’s needs into account. The feasibility study for a free trade agreement negotiation, shelved during former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration in the 2010s, should be revisited. Building economic institutional links would be mutually beneficial, and India stands to gain significantly from such collaboration.
A change in leadership presents an opportunity for countries to revitalize ties. In the case of India and Taiwan, this represents a chance to elevate relations to new heights. This is not only mutually beneficial, but also holds significance for the broader Indo-Pacific region, making India-Taiwan engagement essential.
Sana Hashmi is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and the George H.W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations.
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