New Delhi: India and Taiwan are threatened by “authoritarianism” and it is high time for both sides to engage in “strategic cooperation”, Taipei’s de facto ambassador Baushuan Gere said on Sunday, referring to China’s aggressive behavior in the region. Told.
In an interview to PTI, Gere said Taiwan and India needed to join hands to “shut down” the “expansion of autocracy” as he spoke in the East and South China Sea, Hong Kong and Hong Kong to highlight the causes of tensions. Citing action in Galwan Valley. region.
Following a high-profile visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August, China is ramping up its military offensive against the self-governing island of more than 23 million people, sparking global concerns.
China considers Taiwan a separate province and reacts angrily to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Gere said Taiwan commended India for standing up for justice, peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits in the wake of China’s military offensive in response to Pelosi’s visit.
“Both India and Taiwan are threatened by authoritarianism, so closer cooperation between the two is not only desirable but necessary,” Gere said. “I believe now is the high time for us to engage in strategic cooperation, with increasing trade and technology cooperation being one of the most viable areas to start with,” he said.
The envoy said the Chinese military is increasing its aggression around the waters and airspace of Taiwan and Japan, seriously “devastating” peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
He said the actions raised the chances of a “miscalculation” but they could be a “preview” for a change in the status quo.
“We appreciate that India has stood up for justice, peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. Some were now misled into thinking that by inviting Speaker Pelosi, Taiwan and the US were ‘provocative’ to change the status quo.” intended,” Gere said. Told.
“However, if we take a look at the facts on the ground over the years – the Galwan Valley, the East and South China Seas and Hong Kong – it is clear who the real provocateur is. Taiwan is only defending itself in response to what is happening, ” They said.
While China has been cracking down on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and continuing its military activities in the East and South China Seas, its aggressive behavior triggered clashes in the Galwan Valley in June 2020.
India does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but there are trade and people-to-people ties between the two sides. In 1995, New Delhi established the India-Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei to promote dialogue between the two sides.
“It is encouraging to see that while there have been fundamental changes in the context of democracies involved in India in recent years, they are no longer merely responding, but taking proactive measures to prevent and counter undemocratic tactics and grey-zone operations. are,” Gere said. Told.
“In this respect, India is like Taiwan, standing at the forefront of an aggressive and belligerent authoritarian regime. We need to join hands to stop the spread of autocracy,” he said.
The de facto ambassador said there is “a vast untapped well of potential” for cooperation between Taiwan and India. “We can and should collaborate more on cyber, space, maritime, green energy, food security and even tourism and gastronomy,” he said.
Gere said yoga is hugely popular in Taiwan and Bollywood movies are also on the rise. “We can give each other a lot. It is my sincere hope that India sees Taiwan as its own,” he said.
Referring to Chinese military actions, Gere said Taiwan has been at the forefront of the fight against rising authoritarianism for decades.
“Every single day, we repel multiple attempts at malicious hacking and disinformation attacks; our fighter jets and warships thwart infiltration attempts, and our coast guard shoos away illegally concealed fishing boats,” They said.
Following Pelosi’s visit last month, China conducted major military exercises around Taiwan, with Chinese fighter jets and ships continuously crossing the midline in the Taiwan Strait.
“In the last month alone, more than 300 flights were flown on the midline, a dramatic increase from the preceding years, while a long-standing tacit agreement existed between Taiwan and China on the Taiwan Strait midline,” Gere said.
“To be sure, given China’s recent continued incursions of the Middle Line and other military provocations around Taiwan, this is a clear indication that China is attempting to regularize its actions to eliminate the long-standing status quo in the Taiwan Strait. doing,” he said. ,
Gere said China is trying to downplay the fact that the Taiwan Strait is part of international waters, thus setting the stage for a “new normal” in the waterway.
He also sought India’s support for Taiwan’s bid to participate meaningfully in the World Health Assembly, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Interpol etc.
He said, “You see, this is not for political, but for humanitarian purpose. Let us start here and build the momentum for mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The de facto ambassador said that Taiwan has been unable to participate in the UN system because of China.
“By deliberately linking its ‘One China’ principle with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 – the resolution that determines who represents China in the organization – almost 50 years ago – Beijing is misleading the world that Taiwan is a part of the United Nations. part of the People’s Republic of China,” Gere said.
“The long-term status quo is, the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC are separate jurisdictions, with neither subordinate to the other,” he said. Gere said that the people of Taiwan can only be represented in the international community by their free and democratically elected government.
“The misinterpretation of UNGA resolution 2758 has long denied Taiwan the right to participate in the United Nations and its specialized agencies, such as the WHO, ICAO and Interpol, and has also denied the international community the opportunity to benefit Taiwan. have made contributions,” he said. Gere said countries around the world are beginning to realize what Taiwan can offer and that many support its strong involvement in the United Nations system.