The Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India on Wednesday opened a branch in Mumbai, bringing the number offices in India to three, Taiwanese officials said.
A plaque unveiling ceremony for the center’s third Indian office was hosted by Representative to India Baushuan Ger (葛葆萱) and TECC in Mumbai Director-General Chang Chun-yu (張均宇).
With the opening, the number of TECC offices in India equals the number of consulates Beijing has in that nation, officials said.
Photo: CNA
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said that the Mumbai office underscores Taiwan’s promise to India and commitment to the New Southbound Policy.
Taipei hopes the two nations would continue to develop ties in economics, investment, culture and education, he said, adding that the bilateral relationship has entered a new chapter.
Ger said the new branch marked an important day in the development of Taiwan-India relations, especially in collaborations taking place in western India.
The new diplomatic post is expected to play a key role in supporting the nations’ growing business, educational and cultural ties in the region, and Taiwanese residing or doing business there, he said.
The Mumbai office would serve the western Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa, and the union territory of Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Chang said.
The TECC in India, Chennai and Mumbai look forward to jointly developing Taiwan’s relations with India, he said.
In Beijing, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) yesterday urged India to handle Taiwan issues with caution and avoid interference in the improvement of Sino-India relations following the opening of the de facto consulate.
China opposes moves by any nations it has ties with to engage in official contacts with Taiwan, Mao told a regular news conference.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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