Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu (second row, fifth left), and India Taipei Association Director General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav (second row, center), are joined by officials and performers during India’s Republic Day celebration Jan. 22 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu attended a reception hosted by the India Taipei Association to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Republic Day Jan. 22 in Taipei City, reaffirming the government’s commitment to deepening ties with the New Southbound Policy partner country.

In his congratulatory remarks, Wu said India is a global power, evidenced by being the fourth country which successfully landed on the moon in 2023, hosting the G20 Summit last year and its upcoming chairing of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Summit this year.

The relationship between Taiwan and India is growing from strength to strength with closer people-to-people exchanges, Wu said, citing the Diwali celebration held in Taiwan for the past four consecutive years. The minister further pledged to resume direct flights during the event.

Following Wu’s remarks, ITA Director General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav said Taiwan is a true friend of India and the like-minded partners are united by their commitment to democracy. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Taiwan on its successful presidential election, which he said demonstrated democratic resilience.

According to the MOFA, India is a key NSP country and Indo-Pacific partner. The ministry will continue to strengthen relations with India through collaboration in areas spanning culture, education, economy, medicine, science, technology and trade, it added.

Launched by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 as a key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen the country’s agricultural, business, culture, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 ASEAN member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (YCH-E)