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A Chinese statement insinuated that external affairs minister S Jaishankar had acknowledged Taiwan as a part of China during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi
Wang Yi’s visit came days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned trip to China. (Photo:X/@DrSJaishankar)
A day after Beijing claimed that India had reaffirmed that Taiwan is a part of China, Indian government sources told CNN-News18 that there has been no change in New Delhi’s position on Taiwan. The Chinese statement, which was released in an official English readout, insinuated that external affairs minister S Jaishankar had acknowledged Taiwan as a part of China during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. This claim immediately triggered speculation due to the highly sensitive geopolitical dynamics of the Taiwan Strait.
Despite the official Chinese foreign ministry release, Indian government sources quickly pushed back on the assertion. They clarified that there is no change in India’s long-standing, nuanced stance on Taiwan. The sources stressed that, like many other countries around the world, India maintains a relationship with Taiwan that is focused on economic, technological, and cultural ties, and that these ties are intended to continue.
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According to sources, during the India-China foreign minister’s meeting on Monday, when Wang Yi urged India not to deal with Taiwan, Jaishankar argued that “China itself was dealing in the same areas that we in India were. So how is that possible?” This retort underscored India’s intent to continue its robust, albeit unofficial, engagement with Taipei without being dictated by Beijing’s foreign policy demands, said sources.
India seeks to stabilise its relationship with China following recent border tensions while simultaneously expanding its strategic and economic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. At the meeting with Wang, Jaishankar had highlighted that the two countries faced a “difficult period” and now seek to move forward with ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit China at the end of the month for the Heads of States Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the city of Tianjin.
About the Author
Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, …Read More
Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, … Read More
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