In a break from the past, India looks to be taking tentative steps towards increasing political contacts with Taiwan. Although New Delhi does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, it will be playing host in mid-June to Taiwan’s main Opposition leader and Kuomintang chairman Ma Ying-jeou who is also the party’s candidate for this year’s presidential elections.

While India and Taiwan enjoy healthy trade and economic ties, the relationship has not been upgraded to a diplomatic level because New Delhi recognises Beijing’s One China policy. Given China’s claim over Taiwan as being part of the mainland, India has scrupulously avoided high-level political contacts in the past. However, in 1995, both sides agreed to have trade representative offices in both countries.

In this context, sources say, Ma’s visit is significant as it displays a willingness on India’s part to not let the China-Taiwan problem hinder development of normal ties with Taipei.

It’s learnt that Ma will be here on June 12-13 and is slated to hold meetings with the country’s top political leadership.

Ma, 55, who is also the Mayor of Taipei, is among the most popular leaders in Taiwan and favoured to win the presidential elections. He is said to have described India as a “new friend” and Singapore as an “old friend” — the two countries he will be visiting during his short tour in mid-June.

Given Ma’s own view of improving ties with mainland China, officials hope the visit will not lead to any “complications” with Beijing. Still, sources say, China is very sensitive to such contacts and that has been one of the key factors behind India’s nervousness to broaden the relationship with Taiwan.

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