China Irked As PM Modi Responds To Congratulatory Message From Taiwan's President

China’s Foreign Ministry has shown its discontent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s acceptance of congratulatory remarks by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on his election win.

After PM Modi led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to victory in India’s general elections, President Lai congratulated PM Modi in a post on X.

He said, "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.”

PM Modi replied President Lai’s congratulatory post, stating, “Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership.”

Apparently, this exchange has irked China, and its foreign ministry’s spokesperson Mao Ning said that it has lodged a protest with India.

China believes that Taiwan is Chinese territory. It also wants the entire world to believe this as well.

That is why the spokesperson Ning said, “First of all, there is no President in the Taiwan region,” adding that “it opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China.”

Ning further added, “there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.”

India, which has agreed to the one-China principle is now increasing its relationship with Taiwan. Taiwanese contract manufacturers like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron have started to invest in India. Taiwan is also looking for Indian labour to address its shortage of labour.

On the other hand, with China, India's relations are only going downhill. Both their armies are engaged in a four-year-long standoff in the Himalayas after the deadly clashes at Galwan Valley in 2020.

Their trade relationship has deteriorated even further with India banning TikTok, a Chinese social media platform. India has made investment by Chinese companies in India more difficult and stringent. And with the standoff at the borders, it does not seem likely that India's relationship with China will improve anytime soon.