Situating India in Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy

Abstract

The widening rift between the United States and China, the former’s efforts to strengthen ties with partners in Asia, China’s aggressive postures and its poaching of Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies have opened up new possibilities for Taiwan’s external engagement. The inclination of the Democratic Progressive Party-led government in Taiwan to forge regional partnerships led it to develop its flagship foreign policy – the New Southbound Policy (NSP-T) and to proactively look towards India. Amid the changing geopolitical situation, the regional positions and roles of India and Taiwan have undergone a transformation and the two states’ interests in advancing relations have become visible. While NSP-T represents a concrete decision from Taiwan’s side to push outwards, the deterioration in India’s relations with China, particularly since the border clashes at Galwan in 2020, along with India’s own growing role in the region, could be categorised as pull factors. This article offers an Indian perspective on India’s place in the NSP-T. It argues that China’s increasing assertiveness and the possibility of mutual economic benefits are the main factors driving Taiwan-India relations and that the NSP-T is facilitating the cooperation and advancement in the ties.