By: Aditya Ahuja
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, on Monday expressed deep admiration for India during an event commemorating India’s 75th Republic Day, particularly applauding the consecration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Wu, addressing the gathering, categorized people into those who are going to fall in love with India and those who already have, indicating he belongs to the latter category.
Praising India as a major global power with cordial relations with Taiwan across various sectors, Wu highlighted shared democratic values and visions in the Indo-Pacific region. He expressed hope for the resumption of direct flights between Taipei and India to enhance bilateral exchanges.
India’s representative to Taiwan, Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav, reciprocated by congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected leaders, specifically praising the “smooth and peaceful transfer of power.” Yadav, also the director-general of the India-Taipei Association (ITA), highlighted the strengthened bilateral economic ties over the past decade, with two-way trade surging from USD 2 billion in 2006 to USD 10.9 billion in the fiscal year 2022-2023.
Expressing hope for the continued positive momentum, Yadav noted that Taiwanese businesses have been among the largest beneficiaries of India’s recent manufacturing policies, such as Make in India and Production-Linked Initiatives (PLI) schemes. He also underscored robust cultural exchanges between India and Taiwan, including the presence of over 3,000 Indian students in Taiwan.
Yadav hosted the reception to mark Republic Day, commemorating the adoption of India’s constitution and the country’s transition to a republic on January 26, 1950. The event featured traditional Indian dances, Bollywood songs, and dance routines, showcasing the vibrant cultural ties between the two nations.