The Chinese Foreign Ministry on June 6 raised objections to the exchange of messages between Narendra Modi and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te after PM Modi’s victory in the Lok Sabha Election 2024.
Lai, on June 5, congratulated Modi on X, saying, “My sincere congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his election victory. We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan-#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the #IndoPacific.”
In his response, Modi wrote, “Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership.”
‘No such thing as ‘president’ of the Taiwan region’
Protesting the exchange, China urged New Delhi to resist the “political calculations” of Taiwanese authorities. Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, told the media, “First of all, there is no such thing as ‘president’ of the Taiwan region.” She was questioned over Modi’s message.
“As for your question, China opposes all forms of official interactions between the Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China,” she added.
She added that the one-China principle is a recognised norm globally in international relations. “India has made serious political commitments on this and is supposed to recognise, be alarmed about and resist the Taiwan authorities’ political calculations. China has protested to India about this,” Mao said.
Responding to another question, Mao said India “has diplomatic relations with China. China opposes all forms of official interactions between the Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China. This position is very clear and India knows this well.”