China has asked India to approach Taiwan-related issues prudently amid reports that New Delhi was looking to start trade negotiations with Taipei. This is totally absurd. First, India will decide India’s trade policy in India’s interests. Second, although China insists on the ‘One China’ principle that sees Taiwan as an inalienable part of China, the reality is that Taiwan is independent with a government that exercises full administrative control over the Taiwanese mainland. Therefore, Beijing is in no position to dictate to Taipei.
Third, China and Taiwan already have significant commercial relations between themselves, although these ties have been fraying of late because of Beijing’s aggression towards Taipei. In fact, many Taiwanese businesses are looking to relocate out of China, and India provides a good opportunity for them. Besides, when China itself has no qualms about claiming Indian territories like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, India doesn’t have to be unduly sensitive about Beijing’s theoretical claims over Taiwan. The latter is free and willing to do business with India. And the potential economic and technological synergies between the two countries are quite attractive.
