The DPP’s win in 2024 election has implications for Taiwan’s domestic and foreign policy, particularly in light of strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region.
By Charu Ratna Dubey
On January 13, 2024, Lai Ching-te, who is also known as William Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won the presidential election. This is the first time in the history of democratic Taiwan that a political party secures the presidential position for the third time. Lai defeated Hou Yu-ih of the Chinese Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT) with a narrow margin by fetching 40.05% of the total valid votes. A relatively new political party in Taiwan’s history, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je remained a distant third in this election. Taiwan, a self-governed island that is becoming increasingly significant because of the geopolitical tectonic shift towards the Indo-Pacific and South-China Sea, which are regions of growing great power competition between the United States and China in the last decade.
During the election campaign, the DPP government claimed Chinese interference in the Taiwanese elections. It is believed that DPP, a pro-independence political party, is seen as ‘separatist’ by the People’s Republic of China. Since the outgoing Vice President is now the president-elect, it will be very interesting for academics, scholars, and enthusiasts of International Relations to remain watchful about the change and continuity in the domestic and foreign policy of the island. As a rising power, India is vigilant about what is happening in this part of the world. India and Taiwan don’t have diplomatic relations yet for all practical purposes. Indian Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai facilitate dialogue to promote business, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges between India and Taiwan.
The previous government of DPP under the leadership of Tsai Ing-wen initiated the New Southbound Policy to enhance relations between Taiwan and the countries of South-East Asia and South Asia in particular. Similarly, Indian Foreign Policy changed its dimension and switched from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ in 2014 to deepen relations with the countries of Southeast Asia (later changed to cater to the broader Indo-Pacific region). Taiwan and India hold strategic importance and their relations are transforming in many ways. The trade volume in 2022 touched a historic high of $8.5 billion which made India the 17th largest trading partner of Taiwan.
India, as an emerging power with the highest population in the world, is looking for multi-sectoral relations with countries all around the world. To live its vivid story of prosperity and growth India requires state-of-the-art technology. For a growing country like India which enjoys a demographic dividend, collaborations in the areas of technology, research, innovation, and development are significant. Taiwan being a major player in the global technology supply chain, particularly the semiconductor industry, has the potential to strengthen its partnership with India. Electronics, IT, and manufacturing-based Taiwanese companies can contribute to Indian counterparts in many ways such as in the areas of research and training. Taiwanese are good at vocational education and by providing vocational training to Indian youth they not only help India grow but also make themselves diversified and available for other South Asian countries which look for such engagements.
India and Taiwan share similar values, they both cherish democracy and its principles. At the global level, they have regard for international law and believe in the free and fair use of global commons such as sea routes. Both India and Taiwan share concerns about regional security, particularly the use of freedom of navigation across the Taiwan Strait. In the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2022, Taiwan refutes the claims of China over the strait. It reiterates that the Taiwan Strait is part of international waters and that freedom of the high seas as defined in international law applies to water beyond Taiwan’s territorial sea limits.
Recently on January 22, 2024, I participated in the Republic Day celebration organised by the India Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei. While addressing the gathering, Director-General of ITA Mr Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav said that the partnership between India and Taiwan is gaining momentum as the trade had grown rapidly and crossed the mark of $ 10 billion in the financial year 2022-23. He further said that the changes in the manufacturing policies by the Indian government particularly Make in India and Production-linked Initiatives schemes helped Taiwanese to grow their business.
On this occasion, the Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that increasing cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, science and technologies as well as education, medicine, and culture created a trustworthy environment between India and Taiwan. Harping upon the shared values of India and Taiwan, Wu reiterated mutual commitment towards a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
It is also important to note that the number of Indian students in Taiwan has increased in the past. Around 3000 Indian students are part of post-graduate and Ph.D. programs in educational institutes in Taiwan. India and Taiwan must focus on educational and cultural exchanges for a better understanding of the land, people, and culture of one another.
Building cultural and people-to-people connections has the potential to enhance cooperation between India and Taiwan. The recent announcement by the Indian Government of Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, to Mr Young Liu of Foxconn indicates the Indian inclination towards building better ties with Taiwan and its people. Since the DPP after winning the presidential position will continue to play a significant role in Taiwanese politics, it is widely believed that India and Taiwan will explore and unearth new areas of mutual interest in the future.
Dr Charu Ratna Dubey is Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Taiwan Fellow at National Chengchi University in Taipei.
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