India Stands Firm: When it comes to sensitive issues in international diplomacy, even a single phrase can spark speculation. That is exactly what happened on August 19, 2025, after Beijing issued a statement claiming that India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had affirmed Taiwan as “part of China” during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi. The Indian government quickly moved to set the record straight, insisting that there has been no change in India’s policy towards Taiwan.
A Diplomatic Twist During a Crucial Visit
Wang Yi’s two-day visit to India—the first since 2021—was seen as a positive step in thawing relations between the two neighbours. The meeting was described as “productive” with both sides highlighting improvements in bilateral ties and cooperation across multiple fields. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s readout in Mandarin, later translated into English, included a line stating, “Taiwan is part of China.”
While the statement suggested that this was something India had explicitly agreed to, government sources in New Delhi firmly rejected that interpretation. They clarified that Jaishankar had indeed discussed India’s ongoing engagement with Taiwan, but had not used the words attributed to him by Beijing.
India’s Position: Steady but Nuanced
In its official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underlined that India has not changed its position on Taiwan. The spokesperson noted that, like much of the international community, India maintains relations with Taiwan in the fields of economy, technology, and culture—and that these ties will continue. Interestingly, officials pointed out that even China itself engages with Taiwan in similar domains.
India does not formally recognise Taiwan as the “Republic of China” and adheres to its own carefully crafted diplomatic language. Over the years, New Delhi has avoided publicly reaffirming the “One China policy.” Since 2010, India has stopped explicitly using the phrase in protest against China’s stance on Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, where Beijing issues “stapled visas” suggesting the territories are disputed. Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj even once told her Chinese counterpart that if Beijing wanted India to reiterate “One China,” it must first respect a “One India policy.”
Looking Ahead: Balancing Relations
Despite the friction, Wang Yi’s visit was marked as an important step forward, especially ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned trip to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on August 31, 2025. Both sides appear committed to stabilising ties after years of strain, though the Taiwan remark has reminded observers just how delicate the India-China relationship remains.
For India, the challenge lies in maintaining its principled stand without letting differences derail broader cooperation. With Taiwan emerging as a key hub for semiconductors and technology, India is expected to deepen its economic and cultural ties with Taipei while continuing to navigate its complex and often prickly relationship with Beijing.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official statements and available information as of August 19, 2025. Developments in India-China-Taiwan relations are dynamic, and future updates may alter the context of this report.