On June 4, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition emerged victorious from India’s national elections, a promising outcome for the future of Taiwan-India relations.
The BJP is favorable to strengthening ties with Taiwan, aiming to expand cooperation in trade, technology and education.
Prioritizing economic development, the BJP has found the perfect partner in Taiwan, known for its cutting-edge technology and abundant capital resources. State visits and bilateral agreements are expected to become much more frequent in the near future.
With the strengthening of ties, Taiwanese enterprises will seize new opportunities in the Indian market. India is the world’s biggest emerging market and, with its rapidly growing consumer base, presents an attractive prospect for Taiwanese businesses.
Since 2014, the BJP has continuously promoted policies beneficial to overseas businesses, including those from Taiwan. Measures such as easing foreign investment restrictions and simplifying the tax system have allowed Taiwanese investments and operations to flourish in India.
Additionally, further cooperation in technology and infrastructure will unlock opportunities for Taiwanese businesses in emerging industries, including 5G Internet, artificial intelligence and renewable energy. With their advanced technology and management expertise, Taiwanese firms are ideal partners for local Indian governments and private enterprises. The number of Taiwanese businesses in India is expected to rise considerably in the coming years.
Beyond the economic and trade sectors, India and Taiwan see eye to eye on matters of regional security — particularly in response to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) tightening grip on the Indo-Pacific region. As the main ally of the US in South Asia, India has endeavored to curb China’s expansionist ambitions through the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, an alliance forged with other democratic countries to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.
As Taiwan holds an important geopolitical role in the Indo-Pacific region, it works in both countries’ interests to pursue cooperation on regional security issues.
Platforms such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue will see strengthened collaboration between the two countries, not only in areas like the digital economy, supply chains and climate change, but also on more sensitive issues such as the Taiwan Strait and China-India border conflicts. India will continue supporting Taiwan’s needs with a pragmatic approach, thus ensuring peace in the region.
Cultural exchanges between India and Taiwan are also expected to flourish. Despite being far apart geographically, the two countries share many cultural similarities. India’s longstanding cultural history, unique religious traditions and rich artistic legacy have received praise and admiration worldwide. Taiwan, with its blend of Chinese cultural heritage and unique characteristics, is equally noteworthy. Intercultural exchanges in music, cuisine and film are bound to increase.
Education is another important element in Taiwan-India relations. An increasing number of Taiwanese students opt to study in India to learn about its fascinating culture. With the support of both governments, there is potential for more Indian students to come and study in Taiwan, fostering bilateral educational exchanges and talent development.
Following the Indian elections, Taiwan-India relations have reached a new milestone. Economic, geopolitical and cultural collaborations present ample opportunities for mutual development, signaling a promising future.
Chen Chun is an international affairs researcher.
Translated by Gabrielle Killick
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