Taipei, March 21 (NationPress) The inauguration of a new Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Mumbai, alongside the involvement of Taiwanese think tanks at the recent Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, highlights India's ambition to strengthen ties with Taiwan. Furthermore, India is encouraged to pursue partnerships with Southeast Asian nations to elevate Taiwan’s participation in regional economic, governance, and security discussions, according to a report.

“In the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed substantial political resources to reshape India’s relations with Southeast and East Asian nations through the Act East Policy. This initiative has significantly improved India’s connections with these regions. Unlike earlier administrations, Modi has prioritized defense and security collaboration with ASEAN nations,” noted a recent article in the ‘Taipei Times’.

“New Delhi’s growing defense engagements with Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, and others send a definitive signal regarding India’s intention to play a pivotal role in fostering peace and security within the Indo-Pacific region. The establishment of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s inaugural regional office in Kuala Lumpur in 2023 is particularly crucial for enhancing India’s defense posture in the area,” the report elaborated.

According to the analysis, India’s proactive initiatives are welcomed by Taiwan. Amidst rising Chinese assertiveness, Taiwan stands to gain from India’s defense diplomacy, potentially paving a path to enhance stability in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

“India's choice to refrain from endorsing the 'One China Policy' and its commitment to expanding collaboration with ASEAN countries reflect a strategy aimed at promoting strategic autonomy and supporting the resistance of other regional powers against China’s influence. These shifts are advantageous for Taiwan, as its sovereignty has been increasingly emphasized in the foreign and security agendas of regional powers, including India,” the report stated.

“There is a growing consensus that altering the 'status quo' in the Taiwan Strait could negatively impact the maritime interests of various nations, potentially leading China to intensify its pressure on neighboring states,” it continued.

The report also recommended that India and Southeast Asian nations consider including Taiwan in trilateral and multilateral discussions, as well as collaborative maritime exercises.

“Taiwan’s proficiency in cybersecurity can be instrumental in aiding India and ASEAN countries in safeguarding their critical infrastructure from potential Chinese cyber threats. As a Taiwanese delegation participated in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Summit in New Delhi, India should take proactive measures to enhance its engagement with Taiwan on both bilateral and multilateral fronts,” it concluded.