“A New Chapter in India-Taiwan Relations”: Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Chia-Lung Lin

MUMBAI: Foreign Minister Chia-Lung Lin of the Republic of China (Taiwan) highlighted the remarkable progress in India-Taiwan relations in recent years, which not only reflects the success of Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” and India’s “Act East Policy,” but also promises to enhance bilateral ties further.

The occasion was the grand reception held on 16 October 2024 to celebrate both the inauguration of Taiwan’s new office in Mumbai and the 113th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). This milestone marks a significant step forward in the deepening partnership between the two nations.

The newly opened Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Mumbai is Taiwan’s third representative office in India, following the establishment of the TECC in New Delhi in 1995 and the one in Chennai in 2012. The office in Mumbai will serve as a critical link in fostering ties across four western Indian states—Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa—as well as the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

In a pre-recorded congratulatory video, Foreign Minister Chia-Lung Lin underscored the strategic importance of the TECC in Mumbai, noting its role as a gateway to strengthening economic, technological, educational, and cultural ties between India and Taiwan. The inauguration of this office, he said, not only consolidates Taiwan’s presence in India but also opens new avenues for collaboration in areas of shared interest, from trade to cultural exchanges.

“India and Taiwan share common democratic values,” Lin remarked, “and the growing collaboration between our countries is a testament to our mutual aspirations for peace, prosperity, and regional stability.”

The event also featured a speech by Ambassador Baushuan Ger, the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India. He opened his address by expressing pride in the deepening relationship between Taiwan and India, stating that the inauguration of the Mumbai office was a historic step that would further bolster the existing bonds between the two nations.

Ambassador Ger reflected on the journey that began in 1995, when Taiwan and India first established official representations. Since then, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi and the India Taipei Association in Taipei have facilitated numerous collaborations in trade, education, science, and culture. With the opening of the TECC in Chennai in 2012, Taiwan expanded its focus to southern India, resulting in significant Taiwanese investments, particularly in manufacturing.

“More than 60% of Taiwanese investment is concentrated in four southern Indian states,” Ger pointed out, emphasizing that these investments had brought significant economic benefits and job opportunities to the region.

Ambassador Ger also highlighted the impact of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, which was launched in 2016 to strengthen ties with Southeast and South Asian nations, with India as a key priority. He noted the dramatic growth in bilateral trade, which had surged from USD 5 billion in 2016 to USD 8.2 billion in 2023, making India Taiwan’s 16th largest trading partner. Over 260 Taiwanese companies are now operating in India, creating 170,000 jobs through a cumulative investment of USD 5 billion.

Education and language exchanges have also flourished, with Taiwan establishing 37 Taiwan Education Centers across India, enrolling over 14,000 students in Mandarin language courses. “This pool of Mandarin-speaking talent plays a critical role in facilitating Taiwan’s small and medium enterprises to engage in India,” Ger noted, highlighting the importance of people-to-people connections in strengthening bilateral ties.

In closing, Ambassador Ger emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to working closely with Maharashtra and its neighboring states through the TECC in Mumbai. “Like President Lai Ching-te emphasized in his National Day Address on October 10th, Taiwan is a force for regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” Ger said. “We will vigorously develop trusted sectors such as semiconductors, AI, defense, and next-generation communications.”

With optimism, he affirmed that the new office in Mumbai would mark the beginning of a new chapter in Taiwan-India cooperation. “Taiwan sees India as a trusted friend and partner. Through this new office, we will join hands to take our cooperation to new heights, ensuring a prosperous future for both nations,” he concluded.

Director General Homer Chang, who will head the new office in Mumbai, also shared a few words, expressing excitement for the opportunities ahead and his dedication to fostering Taiwan-India relations in this strategically important region. As the evening progressed, guests representing various sectors celebrated the occasion, symbolizing the ever-growing partnership between India and Taiwan.