Jaushieh Joseph Wu
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
January 22, 2024
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Ladies and gentlemen:
Namaste!
“There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who have been to the Taj Mahal and those who have not.” This is a quote from writer Lily Hsueh’s essay “Teardrop of Love,” which features in high school Mandarin Chinese textbooks in Taiwan. To me, the world is divided into two types of people: those who are going to fall in love with India and those who already have. I believe you all know I fall in the latter camp.
And so, it is a great honor and pleasure to join you tonight to celebrate the 75th Republic Day of India and the inauguration of the grand temple “Ram Mandir” in the holy city Ayodhya. On behalf of Taiwan government, I would like to extend my congratulations to the people and government of India on this special occasion.
Over the past 75 years, India has amazed the world. Last year, India became the world’s most populous country as well as the fourth nation to achieve a moon landing. It also successfully held the G20 summit. These achievements demonstrate the country’s status as a major global power. As India takes up the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue presidency this year, I am sure that it will continue to play a vital role on the international stage and in the Indo-Pacific region.
I am more than glad to learn that relations between Taiwan and India have continued to thrive. Our engagement on such issues as trade, investment, science and technology, medicine, education, and culture is creating win-win outcomes and spurring significant progress. Last year, we announced the opening of a representative office in Mumbai, which will facilitate more people-to-people exchanges. Furthermore, bilateral trade has topped eight billion US dollars for two years in a row. Last October, Indian Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Rajesh Kumar Singh led a delegation of over 50 Indian business and government representatives to Taiwan to further boost our robust trade and economic ties.
This past year, we celebrated the Diwali festival with the Indian community for the fourth consecutive year. I would like to compliment my dear friend Director General Yadav on his outstanding efforts to have the India Taipei Association organize the first Diwali celebration. Under his fine stewardship, I am confident that our bilateral relationship will continue to prosper in the years ahead. To this end, the first step will be to bring Taipei and New Delhi closer by resuming direct flights as soon as possible. I am looking forward to furthering cooperation across all spheres afterwards.
Taiwan and India are vibrant democracies with a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. In partnership with other like-minded countries, Taiwan and India can help establish democratic and resilient supply chains and safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the greater Indo-Pacific region.
In closing, I invite you to join me in a toast: to the long-standing friendship between our two nations. Happy Republic Day!