India has reiterated that there is “no change” in its position on Taiwan, government sources clarified on Tuesday, following Chinese media reports claiming that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar affirmed Taiwan as part of China during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Sources stressed that India, like many other countries, maintains economic, technological and cultural ties with Taiwan, and intends to continue them. “There is no change in our position on Taiwan,” they underlined.
The clarification came after Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that Jaishankar had endorsed Beijing’s stance on Taiwan. According to Indian officials, however, Jaishankar countered Wang Yi’s concerns, pointing out that China itself engages in the same sectors with Taiwan where India cooperates.
Wang Yi, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, met Jaishankar and also co-chaired boundary talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The Chinese minister described bilateral ties as showing a “positive trend”, urging both countries to see each other as partners rather than rivals. He also noted that 2025 will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and China.
After the talks, Jaishankar posted on X that relations should be guided by the “three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.” He highlighted discussions on trade, pilgrimages, border trade, river data sharing, connectivity and global issues, while stressing the need for a candid and constructive approach to move past recent difficulties in ties.
Sources also confirmed that China has pledged to address India’s concerns regarding rare earths, fertilisers and tunnel boring machines.
Wang Yi’s visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.
