On Jan. 13, the day of Taiwan’s legislative and presidential elections, an Indian friend of mine marked a special moment with his Taiwanese girlfriend.
In a lighthearted moment, she said: “It will be meant to be for us if William Lai (賴清德) wins today.”
Lai did win, and with that, my friends feel closer to their happily ever after.
While this was a personal milestone for them, Lai’s presidency marks much more than a personal win — it signifies continuity in Taiwan’s foreign policy, including toward India.
For Taiwan, the importance of India in its approach to collective security is being increasingly recognized.
Taiwan-India relations made momentous strides over the four years of former president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration, helped by the personalized diplomacy of former minister of foreign affairs and now National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮).
Recently, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said “India is especially important in fostering collaboration among like-minded countries across the Indo-Pacific and groups like the Quad to counter China’s expansionism and its challenge to the global rules-based order.”
From India’s perspective, Taiwan’s importance has also been consistently underscored. The cooperation fostered by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the diligent efforts of skilled diplomats, such as former India Taipei Association director-general Gourangalal Das and current Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbai Yadav, have been pivotal in strengthening economic, technological, educational and cultural ties between the two countries.
The days when China dominated the narrative in India-Taiwan relations are over; this set of relations now stands on its own merit. India’s traditional view of China and Taiwan has shifted, creating a window of opportunity for deeper India-Taiwan ties.
Over the past five years, we have seen a de-hyphenation of India-Taiwan relations from the India-China dynamics. Prolonged tensions with China have allowed India to disregard Beijing’s so-called red lines and embrace a more independent stance.
The recent opening of Taiwan’s third representative office in Mumbai, described by Lin as “the beginning of a new chapter in Taiwan-India cooperation,” along with the rise in Taiwanese investments in India, clearly indicates progress in bilateral relations.
“Taiwan sees India as a trusted friend and partner. Through this new office, we will join hands to elevate our cooperation to new heights, ensuring a prosperous future for both nations,” Lin said.
India is a natural fit within Taiwan’s Indo-Pacific strategy. As Taiwan seeks to diversify its reliance on China and strengthen ties with the West, India is well-positioned to emerge as a key partner in this broader strategy of collaboration among like-minded countries.
However, despite the progress made, the absence of formal diplomatic relations highlights the fragility of the ties. Recognizing the importance of the India-Taiwan partnership and working toward strengthening it further is essential.
A lack of concerted and consistent efforts from governments, industry, civil society and citizens could undermine the achievements of recent years.
In this context, the respective governments play a vital role.
Both the Lai and Modi administrations need to advocate for more cooperation that has proven mutually beneficial, facilitating multi-stakeholder and multifaceted collaboration across various sectors. The New Southbound Policy, which prioritizes India, provides an institutional framework for India-Taiwan relations.
Now is the opportune moment to solidify the New Southbound Policy, reaffirming Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening ties with India. Without a strong institutional framework, there might be an impression that Taiwan is not serious about enhancing its relationship with India. This would reassure New Delhi of Taiwan’s consistency and dedication.
There is no doubt that India is an important partner for Taiwan. As a Quad member, it is only logical for Taiwan to reach out to India. Cross-party support for India within Taiwan is essential. The relative lack of focus from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the newer Taiwan People’s Party on India is notable.
Establishing a cross-party parliamentary friendship association is vital for fostering deeper connections.
Beijing will always view the growing partnership between India and Taiwan as contrary to its interests.
However, it is crucial to stress that this partnership aligns with the interests of both India and Taiwan. China has not and is never likely to accept the “one India” policy.
It is time for India to fully commit to advancing its commercial and strategic interests with Taiwan as a crucial partner. With Lai in Taiwan and Modi at the helm in India, the stage is set for relations to reach new heights.
Sana Hashmi is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. The views expressed here are her own.
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