Taiwan is like Oliver Twist: it wants more from India. Taiwan has chosen to identify India as a major foreign market—its investment in India soared to 360 million dollars in one year—and trade is likely to hit 10 billion dollars in the next few years. A mega park with a capacity for 100 ITC companies by 2022 is on the cards. Taiwanese envoy to India, Chung-Kwang Tien, said India and Taiwan have the best marriage in terms of software and hardware.
Referring to India’s agreements with Japan and South Korea, which Taiwan has not signed, the envoy said they give the other countries an “unfair advantage’’. “We don’t have any issue with India. We want something more from Indian government for Taiwan,’’ he said at an interaction organised by the Indian Association for Foreign Affairs Correspondents.
While India and Taiwan have no formal diplomatic relationship because of China, there is a Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Delhi, which functions as the embassy. China’s pressure to not recognise Taiwan as a country has been strong and growing. In September, Taiwan lost support of two more countries within a week fearing the wrath of the dragon. “We face a lot of setback in international relations because of the diplomatic cut backs,’’ acknowledged the Taiwanese envoy.
“We have a very hostile neighbour facings us for 70 years. They have threatened Taiwan by means of force, trade and even tourism. Any means they can use, they will use them with no hesitation. In the past couple of years, we have lost (support of) seven countries. We have only 15 countries. We are concerned,’’ said Chung-Kwang Tien. However, he said Taiwan looked at it as a challenge to the international community. “We believe in honest and fair competition. I don’t want to use the word cheque book diplomacy. But look around. In India, look at the kind of influence.”
Taiwan has recently opened the third largest machine tool factory in Bengaluru and will open a mega park with 100 Taiwan ITC companies by 2022. The land has already been acquired, Chung-Kwang Tien said. Referring to 'Make in India', he said the programme would bring employment that India needs. But the challenge before India will be to make it lucrative for other countries to invest, at a time when there will be a 'Make in America First' and a 'Make in China' programmes. “As Modiji said, turn red tape into red carpet. The carpet must be new and welcoming,’’ he said.
