Taiwan Expands Presence in India with New Mumbai Office Amid Strengthening Bilateral Ties
As Taiwan deepens economic and diplomatic ties with India, a new office in Mumbai signals growing cooperation in technology, education, and trade.
NEW DELHI: On its way to strengthening business and trade ties with India especially in the field of semi-conductor and ICT, Taiwan is set to open a new representative office in Mumbai coming Tuesday on October 16, 2024, a move that signals further deepening of its ties with India. Announced during Republic of China (Taiwan)’s National Day celebrations in New Delhi, Baushuan Ger, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to India, highlighted the significance of this expansion, underscoring the robust growth in bilateral cooperation over the years.
This will be Taiwan’s third office, the de fact consulate in India, following its representative centers in Delhi, established in 1995, and Chennai, opened in 2012. Baushuan Ger heads Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC), that is de facto embassy in New Delhi.
“Through these three missions, we look forward to working closely with our partners across India to bring bilateral ties to new heights,” Ger said during his speech. This step, he emphasized, represents a culmination of nearly 30 years of diplomatic re-engagement between the two nations, reflecting Taiwan’s commitment to its long-term partnership with India.
The Mumbai office comes at a time when economic relations between Taiwan and India are flourishing. Bilateral trade has surged 64 percent since 2016, reaching $8.2 billion in 2023. This growth aligns with Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” and India’s “Act East Policy,” both of which emphasize increased cooperation in trade, technology, and cultural exchanges.
“Today, India stands as Taiwan’s 16th largest trading partner,” Ger noted, adding that approximately 260 Taiwanese companies are operating in India, with a cumulative investment of $5 billion.
Taiwanese enterprises have been instrumental in job creation and technological advancement in India, contributing to India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative. They have collectively created more than 170,000 jobs in industries ranging from footwear and auto parts to petrochemicals and information and communications technology (ICT).
The ambassador highlighted a landmark technology-transfer agreement between Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) and India’s Tata Electronics, which aims to construct India’s first 12-inch semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat. This collaboration underscores Taiwan’s commitment to helping strengthen India’s semiconductor and manufacturing ecosystems.
In education, Taiwan has established 36 Taiwan Education Centers across Indian universities, where over 14,000 Indian students have taken Mandarin courses. Additionally, around 3,000 Indian students are currently studying in Taiwan, with the number expected to grow as educational exchanges intensify.
“By promoting Mandarin education, we hope the pool of Mandarin speakers in India will keep growing, becoming a strong support for Taiwan’s SMEs in entering the local market and expanding investment in India,” Ger emphasized.
The partnership also extends to science and technology, where the two countries have made remarkable strides. Over the years, they have completed 130 joint research projects in fields like bio-manufacturing and semiconductors. Taiwan and India have co-hosted workshops on semiconductor fabrication, and Indian scientists and students have been exploring research opportunities in Taiwan. These initiatives lay the groundwork for future collaboration, especially as Taiwan looks to support India’s emerging role in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Taiwan’s new office in Mumbai, Ger noted, will play a pivotal role in further advancing these partnerships. “While 30th anniversary is approaching, through these three missions, we look forward to working closely with our partners across India to bring bilateral ties to new heights,” he said, signaling a strong focus on future growth and engagement.
Ger’s speech also touched on Taiwan’s critical role in the global high-tech and semiconductor industries, a sector where Taiwan leads by producing 60 percent of the world’s chips and over 90 percent of the most advanced ones. Taiwan ranks first in semiconductor foundry, packaging, and testing, and second in IC design and ICT products. This dominance makes Taiwan an indispensable player in the global supply chain.
“Taiwan, with its leadership in semiconductors and electronic manufacturing, stands ready to play a crucial role in securing a resilient global supply chain,” Ger emphasized, as countries look to diversify their sources amid rising geopolitical tensions.
While addressing economic and industrial collaborations, Ger also touched upon Taiwan’s broader strategic vision for the region, highlighting the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific. He reiterated Taiwan’s resolve in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait despite increasing military pressure from China.
“We will continue to protect our hard-won democratic way of life without bowing to pressure,” Ger stated, reinforcing Taiwan’s commitment to democratic values and its role in maintaining regional security.
As Taiwan prepares to inaugurate its new office in Mumbai, the move is widely seen as a testament to the growing Taiwan-India partnership. Whether in trade, education, technology, or security, the two countries are poised to work more closely together to shape a collaborative future.
With Taiwan’s Mumbai office set to open next week, this expansion reflects not only Taiwan’s growing footprint in India but also the strategic importance of both countries’ shared goals—strengthening the global supply chain, fostering innovation, and ensuring regional stability.
