In a celebratory reception marking the 112th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on October 6, 2023, dignitaries and diplomats gathered to commemorate the nation’s journey as a hi-tech powerhouse and to highlight the deepening ties between Taiwan and India. The event, hosted by Taiwanese officials, showcased the significance of the partnership between the two countries in various fields, including trade, education, and technology cooperation.
Representative Baushuan Ger said that Taiwan looks forward to joining hands with India to strengthen the global supply chain to safeguard peace, stability across the Strait and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and to maintain the rules-based international order.
Ambassador Ger extended a warm welcome to the attendees and emphasized the remarkable growth and contributions of Taiwan to the global semiconductor industry. Taiwan currently produces 60 percent of the world’s chips, including over 90 percent of the most advanced ones, solidifying its position as a global leader in the semiconductor sector. Its prowess extends beyond semiconductors, with investments in high-precision machinery, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology.
Ambassador Baushuan Ger highlighted the natural and reliable partnership between Taiwan and India, rooted in their shared commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Although diplomatic relations between the two nations were brief in the early years, they were re-established in 1995. The announcement of the forthcoming Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Mumbai in early 2024 was welcomed as a sign of the strengthening bilateral ties.
The convergence of Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” and India’s “Act East Policy” has led to remarkable economic growth. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two nations reached a record high of 8.4 billion USD, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. India has become Taiwan’s 17th largest trading partner, with Taiwanese enterprises investing more than 4 billion USD in various sectors within India, including footwear, machinery, automobile components, petrochemicals, and ICT products.
He told that both countries have also been working on intellectual property rights, product standardization, and traditional medicine agreements, with plans to expand trade and investment in the coming years.He said: “With mutual agreements signed last year focusing on intellectual property rights, product standardization and traditional medicine, we look forward to further expanding trade and investment with more mutually beneficial arrangements to be concluded in the coming years.”
In the field of education, Taiwan has established 29 Education Centers across Indian university campuses, where over 12,000 Indian students have enrolled in Mandarin courses taught by Taiwanese instructors. Additionally, more than 3,000 Indian students are currently studying in Taiwan, serving as bridges between the two nations.
Baushuan Ger said: “In addition to our Chennai office in 2012, I am pleased to announce that our third mission, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Mumbai, will open early next year.”
Talking about advanced technologies Ger told that science and technology cooperation has also flourished, with 115 joint research projects successfully implemented over the years. Collaborative workshops on Smart Healthcare and cybersecurity have been held, and Taiwan has facilitated visits by Indian educational institutions to foster capacity building and talent cultivation in various fields. “Taiwan and India have also made great strides in the domain of science and technology cooperation with 115 joint research projects successfully implemented over the past years,” he said.
Despite facing ongoing cross-Strait military intimidation and gray-zone threats, Taiwan remains committed to strengthening its self-defense capabilities while advocating for peace and stability in the region. Country’s willingness to play a crucial role in securing a resilient and robust global supply chain, particularly in the semiconductor sector, aligns with the shared goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and preserving the rules-based international order.
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