A day after China claimed that India had reaffirmed its support for the "One China" principle during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Indian officials issued a clarification, stating that there has been no change in New Delhi’s stance on Taiwan.
The controversy began when the Chinese foreign ministryreleased a readout saying that Jaishankar had acknowledged Taiwan as part of China. The statement immediately sparked speculation, given the sensitive geopolitical context surrounding the Taiwan Strait.
However, Indian government sources quickly responded, emphasising that India continues to maintain a consistent and balanced approach toward Taiwan. “We have economic, technological, and cultural ties with Taiwan, like many other countries. These will continue,” officials told the media, making it clear that India’s position remains unchanged.
Since 2010, India has deliberately avoided explicitly endorsing the "One China" policy in joint statements. While India does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, it engages with Taiwan through unofficial channels, particularly in trade, technology, and innovation. This strategic ambiguity allows India to maintain strong ties with both Beijing and Taipei without taking a clear-cut diplomatic position.
The clarification comes at a time when India-China relations remain fragile, following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and ongoing military standoffs in eastern Ladakh. Analysts note that if India had not addressed the Taiwan remarks promptly, it could have been interpreted as a significant shift in its foreign policy toward China. For now, India appears to be walking a fine line, signalling openness to dialogue with Beijing while firmly asserting its autonomy in foreign policy decisions.
The broader context is also important. Over the past five years, China has increased military and political pressure on Taiwan, which it considers part of its sovereign territory. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to assert control over the island. On Monday, China reiterated that Taiwan is an internal matter for the Chinese people to resolve, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
India’s measured clarification underscores its commitment to a cautious and strategic approach, ensuring that bilateral relations with China remain stable while protecting its national interests.