New Delhi: With the growing Chinese aggression, India must develop a strategic relationship with Taiwan, an expert opined.
In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat, Namrata Hasija, President of Taiwan Alumni Association and research fellow in Centre for China Analysis and Strategy said, “With the changing geopolitical scenario in the region especially India should now actively consider upgrading ties with Taiwan to a strategic partnership irrespective of relations with China”.
“Instead of viewing Taiwan as a ‘card’ to be played every time China provokes India, it is necessary to look at Taiwan as a country with which it can build a vibrant commercial and strategic partnership. There are five areas where India and Taiwan could co-operate to mutual benefit including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Indo-Pacific strategy, defence ties, Mandarin learning, and the IT sector”, she explained.
Beijing’s blatant aggressive behaviour with its neighbouring countries is persuading nations like the US, Japan and Taiwan to have closer coordination with India to combat China’s hegemonic strategies and illegal claims.
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Recently, China's request to not identify Taiwan as a country and celebrate Taiwan’s National Day had provoked Taiwan. China strongly reiterated its ‘One China Policy’ and said that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
The Chinese embassy in New Delhi in a strongly worded official statement had asked the Indian media to not refer to Taiwan as a ‘country (nation)’ or ‘Republic of China’.
The dispute between China and Taiwan is not new. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be part of the country again, but many Taiwanese want a separate nation.
To thwart Chinese aggression, the expert suggested that it is high time for India-Taiwan to upgrade their ties to create an alternative supply chain to move away from the hostile nation and cut dependency on China.
She pointed out that Taiwan has immense potential as a nation to be recognised for what it is rather than to be used just when India has a problem with China.
Hasija highlighted that Taiwan shared its strategic objectives in the region and has approached the US, Japan, India and South Korea for a partnership in the Indo-Pacific strategy. Taiwan’s Vice President, Chen Chien-Jen also expressed Taiwan’s wish to help further the Indo-Pacific strategy at an international conference and said, “We are looking forward to increasing cooperation and trade and to strengthening ties with the Indo-Pacific region, by mapping out a regional role for Taiwan through the new Southbound Policy”.
Taiwan’s participation is important as it controls Itu Aba, the largest island in the Spratly chain, along with the Pratas Island, which controls the South China Sea’s northeast exit. Taiwan can emplace radar and sensors to gain a more accurate situational awareness of the surrounding areas in the South China Sea.
This makes Taiwan an important ally for not only furthering Indo-Pacific Strategy but also for monitoring China’s expansion in East Asia, she added.
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Hasija further underlined that participating with other countries to ensure the neutrality of the South China Sea and continuing safety of air and sea navigation is important for Taiwan as it can then insist on a role in discussions on maritime territorial claims. Taiwan will, however, need to recalibrate its position on maritime claims to avoid being subsumed by Beijing.
Though long-ignored for fear of incurring the wrath of Beijing, the time is ripe for a recalibration of India’s relationship with Taiwan. India and Taiwan are natural allies in many respects: both share democratic values, uphold human rights and the rule of law, and recognise the benefits of a rules-based international order. But since the outbreak of COVID-19 in January, growing commonalities between the two states afford opportunities for India and Taiwan to forge closer ties to their mutual benefit.
On being asked if India Taiwan can work on creating alternate supply chains and reduce dependency on China, Hasija said, “Meetings and discussions are underway in Taiwan with Indian companies to create an alternate supply chain and reduce dependency on China. ‘Supply chain resilience’ is very important because it is observed during the COVID-19 pandemic how the world was depending on China.
“The pandemic has created a space for Taiwan, the way Taiwan dealt with the pandemic situation and the responsibility of the health ministry has set an example. Taiwan is the only nation in the world that was not under lockdown for a single day unlike countries like Europe, the US and Newzealand”.
“As I said that talks are on and it is expected that India and Taiwan are going to create an alternative supply chain and work for the best”, she added.
It would not be wrong to say that Taiwan-India ties have gradually reached a new high especially after New Delhi became extremely vocal about its engagement with Taiwan, moving away from its age-old policy of being hesitant to even acknowledge its ties with the island country. India, which has been cautious of engaging Taiwan ever since it established relations with the country in 1995 has now been extending its support and are thrusting upon to actively engage Taiwan.
