Taipei, Feb 6 (NationPress) India's recent declaration regarding its relationship with Taiwan illustrates New Delhi's acknowledgment of mutual interests and the strategic significance of maintaining regional stability, according to a report.

"India meticulously monitors developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Our commitment to peace and stability is paramount, considering our substantial trade, economic, cultural, and maritime interests. We call upon all involved parties to exercise caution, avoid unilateral actions, and resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue without resorting to threats or force," stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while addressing inquiries about recent occurrences, including China's military drills around Taiwan and their implications for regional harmony, during a media briefing in New Delhi on January 9 this year.

Commenting on the MEA spokesperson's remarks, Sana Hashmi, a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, noted in Taiwan's prominent daily, Taipei Times, that this establishes a robust foundation for India-Taiwan relations at the year's outset and reflects New Delhi’s understanding of shared interests alongside the importance of regional stability.

Hashmi pointed out that India has made similar statements previously, particularly following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 and the subsequent Chinese military exercises. However, this latest declaration is notable for several reasons.

According to Hashmi, it indicates a consistent approach in India's view that stability in the Taiwan Strait is no longer a remote concern but one that directly impacts its broader strategic landscape. The Taiwan Strait serves as a crucial maritime route for global trade and energy, and any instability could jeopardize India's economic and security interests.

By linking its position to trade, economic, cultural, and maritime interests, India perceives Taiwan’s security as a tangible strategic issue rather than an abstract principle, showcasing a pragmatic stance rooted in national interests.

Furthermore, India's advocacy for restraint and peaceful dispute resolution reflects New Delhi's objective to maintain a stable balance of power within the Indo-Pacific region amidst a dynamic and often chaotic global environment, establishing India as a cautious yet involved stakeholder in Taiwan Strait security. Additionally, the reference to unilateral actions in the statement illustrates India's disapproval of Chinese conduct without engaging in overt confrontation.

Hashmi emphasized that India possesses both strategic interests and economic incentives to engage with Taiwan. Avoiding conflict and urging China to uphold the "status quo" is in India's best interest. Taiwan's significance to India has been well recognized economically.

"Importantly, New Delhi must not view Taiwan solely through the lens of either the US or China. An independent and autonomous approach towards Taiwan would greatly benefit India in the long run. If true strategic autonomy is to have meaning, it must also apply to Taiwan policy. This month’s statement signifies continuity and an increasing acknowledgment that India’s regional and economic interests, particularly regarding Taiwan, cannot be addressed through mere rhetorical caution," Hashmi expressed in the Taipei Times.

"Taiwan’s security is intertwined with India’s strategic environment, and treating it as a peripheral issue misinterprets the realities of Indo-Pacific interdependence. Ensuring stability in the Taiwan Strait transcends alignment or taking sides; it is about advancing national interests through clarity, consistency, and credible strategic engagement. In this context, deeper engagement with Taiwan serves as a vital test of India’s professed commitment to strategic autonomy and multialignment," the author added.