Modi knows Taiwan’s significance better than other political leaders: Dr. Fang

As part of the ongoing ‘India-Taiwan Relations’ series by TheNews21, former Taiwanese diplomat to India, Dr. Tien-sze Fang in an interview with Kunal Chonkar and Namrata Hasija, accentuates on New Delhi and Taipei to reach more pragmatic agreements on issues of mutual concerns and interests. While suggesting the two democracies to grade and expand official dialogue mechanisms beyond economics, the Taiwanese erudite also pins higher expectations on the PM Modi-led administration to aggrandize the ties. He also underscored that the Mandarin Chinese teaching could be a game-changer for both sides. 

New Delhi: Professor (Dr.) Tien-sze Fang is a writer, and an associate professor at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The academician is a former Taiwanese diplomat who was posted in India, as the Assistant Director, Science and Technology Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (Taiwan’s representative office in India) from 2005 to 2011. He is also the author of ‘Asymmetrical Threat Perceptions in India-China Relations’.

Kunal: While congratulating you on the celebrations of the 109th Double Ten National Day, could you share your observations on the official address of President Tsai Ing-wen – especially her citing of the India-China conflict and the application of the new security law in Hong Kong?
Dr.Fang: Comparing to last year’s National Day address, President Tsia’s tone was much softer this time. She mentioned the Chinese leader’s message to the United Nations General Assembly that China would never seek hegemony, expansion, or a sphere of influence, and hope this was the beginning of genuine change. And more importantly, she proposed to facilitate meaningful dialogue with Beijing while parity and dignity are maintained. Last year, Pres. Tsai termed Taiwan as ‘the strategic forefront of the Indo-Pacific region,’ but she avoided the phrase since the Indo-Pacific ‘strategy’ has been widely seen as against China. In general, I think President Tsai tried to extend and ‘olive branch’ to Beijing while rejecting the ‘1992 consensus.’

Namrata: A day after President Tsai’s speech, a Chinese television channel aired a program claiming that officials have apprehended a Taiwanese spy in Hong Kong. Would you call this step as retaliation by China?
Dr.Fang: This is undoubtedly going to have a negative impact on the cross-strait relations as such moves would deepen distrust between the two sides. In fact, very few in Taiwan believe in the official propaganda of China. However, it could have a chilling effect on common scholars as they are already wary of being framed up as spies when they visit China.

Kunal: Days before the Double Ten celebration, the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi attempted to muzzle Indian media freedom – citing a violation of one-China policy. How do you see this move by a diplomatic mission restricting press coverage in a host nation as well as the ‘India-Taiwan Relations’ initiative taken by TheNews21?

Prof.Fang: It is unacceptable to a democratic society like India, but I guess the Chinese embassy has never shared the sentiment due to their own political system at home. They think the media should serve politics. Xi once argued that ‘all Chinese news media had to serve the Chinese Communist Party.’ In regards to the series started by TheNews21, it is good for both India and Taiwan. We should know each other better and deeper if India and Taiwan would like to fashion a patronship of mutual interest. If without China threat, India and Taiwan should cooperate with each other.

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Namrata: While the media paid no heed to China’s threat, do you think it is the Indian government’s commitment to the policy or hesitation on part of New Delhi which is making it difficult to realize the bilateral partnership with Taiwan?
Prof.Fang: My observations are that most Indian officials were keen to make friends with Taiwan. However, there are some in New Delhi, who were wary of China’s retaliation against India that is if New Delhi and Taipei came closer. Sometimes, they were just too overcautious.

Kunal: In which ways and sectors can India’s Act East policy and Taiwan’s New Southbound policy converge in realizing mutual development, peace, and security?
Prof.Fang: In addition to traditional security cooperation, I think both sides have common interests in areas such as education and cultural exchanges. Particularly, Taiwan could offer Mandarin Chinese education to Indian students and officials to know China better.

Namrata: With your substantial stay in India, could you compare or analyze the India-Taiwan relations between the Congress-led government and the BJP-led administration?
Prof. Fang: I had stayed in India for six years (2005-2011) and witnessed the development of India-Taiwan relations. We have higher expectations on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led administration than ever, because, he (PM Modi) had visited Taiwan in 1999. We think he might know Taiwan’s significance better than other political leaders who have never visited Taiwan.

Kunal: What has gone right so far and which sectors can be looked upon as the low-hanging fruits to strengthen the ties between the two democracies?
Prof Fang: Taiwan always appreciates India’s support and kindness. Taiwan’s favor of India is also beyond bipartisan. Even the largest opposition party, the KMT, had twittered in Hindi-language to greet New Delhi on its Independence Day, and even thanked India for recent support. So, I think it is the right time to reach more pragmatic agreements on issues of mutual concerns and interests, such as education and agriculture. Meanwhile, it is also a good time to make a breakthrough. The only official dialogue mechanism between India and Taiwan is Joint Secretary-level on economics. It should be graded and expanded to other ministries and sectors. In addition, New Delhi has not allowed any minister-level officials to visit Taiwan. Since Washington had already sent its Healthy Secretary to visit Taiwan, it should not be a big issue for Delhi to do so.

Namrata: How have soft diplomacy especially educational and cultural ties helped in the evolution of India-Taiwan relations?
Prof. Fang: Mandarin Chinese teaching could be a game-changer for both sides. Taiwan would like to send more Taiwanese teachers to India. In fact, our university is in charge of this program. We have secured funding from our government and looking for Indian partners which could also cover a reasonable part of spending. It could be a long term project on the basis of mutual involvements.

Namrata: The recent thrust on the Indo-Pacific strategy from the US has been to squeeze China’s influence in the South China Sea, what role can Taiwan play in this strategy?

Prof.Fang: We would like to cooperate with international partners to build up a peaceful and stable environment. We are against the threat or use of force to change the status quo.