India Tibet Border needs demarcation followed by Tibet China international Border

Taiwan an independent country located near China in the Indo Pacific and a fellow democracy, has inaugurated the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Mumbai, the country’s third office in India, on Wednesday. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Mumbai is Taiwan’s third office in India, following the establishment of the TECC in New Delhi in 1995 and the TECC in Chennai in 2012.

Though till date due to certain political baggage of the past both Taiwan and India have yet to establish full diplomatic relations. Though the day is not far off.

The new office will serve four major western Indian states–Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa–as well as the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, as per an official press release.

Ambassador Baushuan Ger, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in India, and Director General Homer Chang of the new office attended the reception that day, as per the release.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Chia-Lung Lin recorded a congratulatory video for the event, highlighting the remarkable progress in India-Taiwan relations in recent years.

He noted that the opening of TECC in Mumbai at a key strategic hub in western India not only reflects the success of Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” and India’s “Act East Policy,” but also represents the continued promise to enhance bilateral ties, the press release stated.

However China seems to be quite perturbed and has requested India to handle Taiwan issues with “ caution “. The Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly condemns any form of official contact and interaction between Taiwan and countries they have diplomatic ties with and urged India to adhere to its commitment to the “one-China principle,” which serves as the political foundation for the India-China relationship. Here it needs to made very clear to China that as far as people of India are concerned, Taiwan is a free and thriving democracy.

The Indo Chinese relationship has been in jeopardy the day China captured Tibet another free country. The relationship got completely shattered when China attacked India in 1962 and captured parts of Ladakh and Shakshagam valley.

During a press conference spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, alsosaid that India should “prudently and properly” settle the issues related to Taiwan and reiterated not to conduct any form of official interaction with Taiwan in order to improve the India-China relationship.

“There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. China strongly opposes all forms of official contact and interaction between Taiwan and countries having diplomatic relations with China, including the establishment of representative offices for each other. We have lodged solemn representations to the Indian side,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Well Indian stand is very clear on the above issues. All interactions between India and Taiwan is a bilateral matter in which third parties have no role.

Also to improve relationship, China must immediately sit with India to take action to demarcate the International Border between China and Tibet and also between Tibet and India. Thereafter the three can sit down to resolve the Tibetan issue for once and all.

This development came amid the growing tension in the South China Sea as well as the increased military activities of the Chinese forces in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding areas.