On 9 June, Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. Several world leaders offered their heartfelt congratulations on his victory.
One post in particular sparked strong reactions in China. Last week, Taiwan’s newly elected president, Lai Ching-te, congratulated Modi, highlighting the “rapidly expanding” partnership between Taiwan and India. Modi replied by supporting “closer relations” between the two governments and a “mutually advantageous economic and technological collaboration.”
This post provoked Beijing as they perceived India’s failure to adhere to their ‘One China’ policy. ‘One China’ policy states that Taiwan is not an independent country but is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. Much to China’s disapproval and displeasure, India’s acknowledgment of Taiwan’s President has sparked tensions since India has hinted it supports Taiwan, especially with rising China-Taiwan tensions.
India’s Relations with Taiwan
In recent years, the relationship between India and Taiwan has strengthened due to their aligned interests in the technology sector. This collaboration has involved the exchange of semiconductor chips and Taiwan’s significant investment in India’s mobile device manufacturing industry. Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) is constructing a chipmaking plant in Modi’s Gujarat in collaboration with the Indian conglomerate Tata.
In the meantime, Foxconn, a Taiwanese company that assembles many iPhones worldwide, has significantly increased the scope of its activities in India. To cope with the island’s ongoing labor shortage, the two governments reached an agreement in February to send Indian migrant laborers to Taiwan.
Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., noted that India’s technological ambitions and the recognition of Taiwan as one of the world’s largest and most advanced economies play a role. She added that partnering with Taiwan aligns with India’s pursuit of like-minded allies, especially in strategic technologies.
On the other hand, India has not made a public commitment to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, unlike the United States. It remains uncertain what role New Delhi would take in such a scenario. However, there is an increasing awareness that such a conflict would affect India’s national and regional security.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon swearing-in for a third term on June 9. In his message, the Chinese leader expressed that stable relations between Beijing and New Delhi would contribute “positive energy to the region and the world.”
The military clashes at the India-China border in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of nearly two dozen soldiers, disrupted the cordial relationship that Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had developed during their first terms. Since then, both nations have increased their troop presence and infrastructure at the border. In response, India also banned TikTok and numerous other Chinese apps.
Sana Hashmi, a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and former employee of the Indian and Taiwanese foreign ministries, stated, “That was the moment India realized that if China disregards our red lines, we need not respect China’s red lines.” She added that China has given India plenty of reasons to concentrate on Taiwan over the years.
Upon assuming the role of External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized that India’s top priority is its neighborhood. “Regarding China, our focus will be on resolving border issues, and with Pakistan, we aim to address cross-border terrorism,” Jaishankar stated.
He also highlighted India’s growing influence, noting that other countries perceive India as a genuine friend. “They have observed that in times of crisis if there is one country that stands with the Global South, it is India,” Jaishankar remarked during a press briefing outside South Block.
