Beijing said Tuesday External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that “Taiwan is part of China” and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval conveyed that India “consistently adhered to the one-China policy”. Responding to these remarks in the Chinese readout of Wang’s meetings in New Delhi, official sources said there has been “no change” in India’s position on Taiwan and its ties with Taipei are focused on economy, technology and culture. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in an English version of the readout on Jaishankar’s meeting with Wang Monday, quoted the External Affairs Minister as having said: “Stable, cooperative, and forward-looking India-China relations serve the interests of both countries. Taiwan is part of China.” And, in its readout of the meeting between Doval and Wang, China quoted Doval saying “it is necessary to enhance understanding, deepen trust, and strengthen cooperation, as this is crucial for the well-being of the peoples of both countries and world peace and development. India has consistently adhered to the one-China policy.” India has always maintained the One-China policy – which means Taiwan is part of China. India and Taiwan have their representative offices in each other’s country, focusing on trade and cultural activities. And now, a technology component has been added to it. India does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan yet because it follows the One-China policy. However, during then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India in December 2010, India did not mention support for the One-China policy in the joint communique. That has been the template for the last 15 years. Responding to the Chinese readout Tuesday, sources said, “There is no change in our position on Taiwan. We stressed that like the rest of the world, India has a relationship with Taiwan that focuses on economic, technology and cultural ties. We intend to continue it.” In an oblique reference to US President Donald Trump’s moves on tariffs, the Chinese readout of the meeting between Jaishankar and Wang said, “Wang Yi stated that in today’s world, unprecedented changes are unfolding at a faster pace, unilateralism and bullying acts are rampant, and free trade and the international order face severe challenges.” “On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, humanity has reached a critical crossroads in determining the direction of the future. As the two largest developing countries with a combined population of more than 2.8 billion, China and India should demonstrate a sense of global responsibility, act as major countries, set an example for developing countries in pursuit of strength through unity, and contribute to advancing a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations,” it said. According to the Chinese readout, Wang also said that the “successful meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan (in Russia last October) has provided guidance for the resumption and a new start for China-India relations. Both sides have been earnestly implementing the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, gradually resuming exchanges and dialogues at various levels, maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas, and enabling Indian pilgrims to resume their pilgrimages to the sacred mountains and lakes in China’s Xizang” – a reference to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. “China-India relations are showing a positive trend toward returning to the main course of cooperation. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. Both sides should earnestly draw lessons from the past 75 years, form a correct strategic perception, view each other as partners and opportunities rather than rivals or threats, invest their valuable resources in development and revitalization, and explore right ways for neighboring major countries to get along with each other, which are characterized by mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, pursuit of common development, and win-win cooperation,” it said. Wang “emphasized that China is ready to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the vision of a shared future, and work with neighboring countries, including India, to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home. China and India should remain confident, move in the same direction, avoid disruptions, expand cooperation, and consolidate the improvement momentum of bilateral relations, so that revitalization processes of the two great eastern civilizations can reinforce each other and achieve mutual success, providing the most needed certainty and stability for Asia and the world at large,” it said. According to an Indian official, China “promised to address three key concerns of India. FM Wang Yi assured the External Affairs Minister that China is addressing India’s needs of fertilisers, rare earths and tunnel boring machines.” The Chinese readout also said that “Jaishankar said that under the joint guidance of leaders of both countries, India-China relations have moved from the bottom and are continuously improving and developing, with exchanges and cooperation between the two sides across various fields moving toward normalization. He expressed gratitude to China for facilitating Indian pilgrims’ visits to the sacred mountains and lakes in China’s Xizang. It is crucial for India and China to improve their strategic perceptions of each other. As the two largest developing countries, both India and China uphold multilateralism and are committed to promoting a fair and balanced multi-polar world. The two countries should also jointly maintain the stability of the world economy.” “Stable, cooperative, and forward-looking India-China relations serve the interests of both countries. Taiwan is part of China. India is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust with China, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade and other fields, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and jointly maintain peace and tranquility in border areas. India fully supports China in hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms,” it said, adding that both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest and concern.
