Government Denies Policy Shift on Taiwan Amid Beijing’s Claim

Fast Summary

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on August 18, 2025.
• A readout issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed Jaishankar stated that “Taiwan is part of China,” a statement India has not officially confirmed or denied.
• Government sources clarified there is “no change” in India’s position on Taiwan, emphasizing India’s economic, technological, and cultural ties with Taiwan rather than political recognition.
• India does not recognize Taiwan as the ‘Republic of China’ but maintains a Taipei representative mission for coordinating non-political ties; similarly, Taiwan operates the Taipei Economic and cultural Center in delhi.
• Historically, India accepted the ‘One China policy,’ but has avoided reaffirming it explicitly since 2010 due to disputes over China’s issuing of stapled visas related to Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

indian Opinion Analysis

India’s diplomatic clarifications regarding its stance on Taiwan underscore its nuanced approach toward balancing relations with both China and Taiwan amidst broader geopolitical shifts. The refusal to confirm or deny Beijing’s claim indicates strategic caution as India seeks to maintain sovereignty over its foreign policy while pursuing pragmatic partnerships based on mutual interests like trade and technology.The past context further illuminates this approach; diverging from explicit support for the ‘One China policy’ since 2010 reflects India’s demand for reciprocal respect regarding contentious territorial issues such as Arunachal Pradesh and J&K-a stance that remains consistent across administrations despite Chinese pressure.

While the meeting showcased progress toward normalizing bilateral exchanges post-pandemic disruptions, lingering sensitivities about language used in official statements highlight ongoing trust deficits-but also reinforce India’s commitment to managing differences without abrupt escalations ahead of major international engagements like PM Modi’s upcoming visit for the SCO summit.

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