Last month, Taiwan and India signed a memorandum of understanding signaling a willingness to make India a source of migrant workers. The Ministry of Labor said that Indian migrant workers would make up for the shortage of workers in the manufacturing, construction, agricultural and homecare sectors.
It would not only solve the urgent need for workers in Taiwan, but also contribute to the nation’s strategic plans in the long run.
Indian migrant workers would also be a great source for Taiwan to understand India more. Based on a solid mutual understanding, Taiwan-India relations can be strengthened in a reciprocal way.
First, Indian migrant workers would increase the South Asian nation’s foreign exchange, and New Delhi would have to pay more attention to Taiwan’s economic development and political stability.
Second, after Indian migrant workers come to Taiwan, both Taipei and New Delhi would have to collaborate with one another more closely for all kinds of administrative procedures. This would allow the two countries, which do not have official diplomatic relations, to work more intimately than before.
Besides, once India becomes a source of migrant workers, Taiwan can gain more leverage when negotiating with the Philippines and Indonesia, two countries that it relies on heavily for labor.
That way, better agreements can be achieved for domestic industries.
India is the world’s most populous country and the fifth-largest economy. It has the potential to become one of the most significant players in a multipolar world.
Making India a source of migrant workers is an initial, but important step. This could bring about a more promising India-Taiwan relationship and further collaboration in the future.
Huang Wei-ping works in public service and has a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US.
Translated by Emma Liu
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