China on Thursday protested to India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media statement that he looked forward to having closer ties with Taiwan, a democratically elected island that Beijing threatens to take over forcefully.
Modi’s remarks came in response to a congratulatory message from Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on his election victory. Lai, elected as Taiwan’s President last month, in a message posted on X said: “My sincere congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his election victory. “We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan-#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the #IndoPacific,” Lai said.
My sincere congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his election victory. We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan–#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the #IndoPacific.— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) June 5, 2024
In his reply posted on X, Modi said: “Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership”. Responding to the messages, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China has lodged a protest with India on this.
First of all, there is no President in the Taiwan region, Mao said, when asked for her comments at a media briefing here. “On this question, China opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China,” she said.
Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership. https://t.co/VGw2bsmwfM— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2024
This comes as China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force. There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, she said. Last month, the Chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan’s new president. He took over the Presidency from Tsai Ing-wen, under whose leadership he served as vice president for four years.
The Indian Government’s policy on Taiwan is clear and consistent – it facilitates and promotes interactions in areas of trade, investment, tourism, culture, education and other such people-to-people exchanges. In April, Tsai Ing-wen thanked PM Modi for extending support as the island was hit by a massive 7.4 earthquake.
Even though there has been no response from the top brass in Beijing, China’s foreign ministry congratulated Modi on Wednesday (June 5), adding it was “ready to work” with its neighbour. “A healthy and stable China-India relationship is in the common interest of both sides and is also conducive to peace and development in the region and the world,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a press conference.
Ties between the two neighbours hit a low except for trade ever since the eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Tso area. The two sides have so far held 21 rounds of military talks to resolve the standoff and are working to improve bilateral ties. On Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats to emerge as the single largest party in the 543-member Lok Sabha. With the support of its other allies, the NDA crossed the 272-majority mark.