Current Chinese diplomacy is suspected to usurp Taiwan and Arunachal Pradesh alike. It is a matter of concern for democratic Taiwan and Indian society today. The expansion oriented policies of China are a livid subject matter of discussion for one and all. The citizens of Taiwan and India today are left guessing and questioning whether the Chinese dragon is preparing soon to usurp India and Taiwan ?
The five member Indian bipartisan young political leaders delegation returned to India after a six days visit to Taiwan. During extensive meetings with Taiwan citizens and human right activists, there is wide spread suspicion for mainland Communist led China. But the present KMT led Taiwan government under President Ma Yingjeou is keen to engage China for economic gains for its pluralistic society. The principal Opposition Party of India and its former BJP Delhi MLA Shri Vijay Jolly led the Indian delegation. It also included Smt Ravni Thakur (Congress), Member of Indian Parliament Shri Kamal Akhtar (Samajwadi Party), MCD Councillor Sardar MS Sirsa (Akali Dal) and prominent journalist Shri Dinesh Sharma (Punjab Kesari group of newspapers). During the six days trip, nearly two dozen meetings with Taiwan government officials and 55 interactions with prominent cross section of citizens took place in Taiwan. The highlight of the visit was a 45 minutes long meeting in the Presidential Palace with National Security Advisor and Ambassador Shri Stephen SF Chen on bilateral peaceful relations and co-existence policy with neighbouring countries and the contents of the fifth round of Taiwan-China Cross Strait talks.
There is no doubt that under ‘American Umbrella’, Taiwan is progressing rapidly today. The total population is nearly 2.30 crore. Taiwan is free of terrorism. It has a disciplined population. It is desirous of increased level of trade with India. The KMT led government of Taiwan is accommodative of China for trade and economic development. The cultural and religious ethos are similar between India and Taiwan. About 90 per cent of the population practices Buddhism. The basis of Taiwanese society is accommodation, compassion and friendship. A visit to the Buddhist monastery in Kaohsiung county with relics of Buddha from undivided Indian city of Lumbini district, depicts the historical influence of India in Taiwan . The head preacher Shri Hui Si met the Indian delegation for 30 minutes at the monastery and exchanged views on current affairs and international friendship. Nearly 600 young male and female monks are taught Buddhist way of life and education in this monastery.
The Vice Foreign Minister of Taiwan Shri David Y Lin organised a welcome working lunch for the Indian delegation. It was attended by Indian Ambassador in Taiwan Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Taiwan Ambassador in India Shri Phillip Ong, Director General of Foreign Office Ambassador Shri Mathew S Li along with other senior diplomats. The Vice Foreign Minister in his welcome address stressed for increased level of trade between Taiwan and India. He also stressed for strong friendly economic relations with mainland China.
The leader of the Indian delegation Shri Vijay Jolly in his thanks giving speech stated that the Taiwan visit had no political tenor. The Indian bipartisan young political leaders visit to Taiwan was to strengthen international friendship and understanding. Shri Jolly also supported the demand to open more Taiwan trade offices in major cities of India like Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Noida, etc. Shri Jolly avoided any comment on present state of Indo-China relations. The Congress leader Smt Ravni Thakur also adhered to establish diplomatic norms by stressing for Indo-Taiwan friendship. The Akali Dal leader Sardar MS Sirsa conveyed the good wishes of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Prakash Singh Badal and the dynamic Dy Chief Minister Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal. Shri Sirsa advocated agricultural based Taiwanese business investments in Indian state of Punjab and extended invitation to the Taiwan counter parts. The Vice Minister of Taiwan accepted his invitation and instructed his ambassador at New Delhi to take-up the matter further. The Indian Member of Parliament Shri Kamal Akhtar reiterated the goodwill of Samajwadi Party leader and former UP Chief Minister Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav for strengthening Indo—Taiwan friendship. The senior journalist Shri Dinesh Sharma spoke in Hindi for the positive Indian diplomacy in world affairs. He stressed that India was never an aggressor nation. But it has a accommodative approach with its neighbours. This comment drew wide appreciation from all the assembled diplomats and guests. It was a coincidence that renowned Indian thinker and journalist Dr Ved Prakash Vadik attended the two meetings of the Indian delegation with his illustrious lecturer wife in Taiwan.
A visit to the Central News Agency office was the highlight of the Taiwan trip. The Indian delegation in the photo library stumbled across rare photographs of former first Prime Minister of India Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru with great leader of Taiwan General Chiang Kai Shek and Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee at Taiwan Airport in a jolly good mood during the late 1960’s. The people of Taiwan have words of praise for Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Nehru and Vajpayee. This praise for senior Indian statesmen delighted the Indian delegation.
A visit to President Ma Yingjeou ruling KMT Party office, visit to the main Opposition “Democratic Progressive Party” headquarters, the 101 storey Worlds Tallest Skyscraper Taiwan Trade Centre, the site of World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung county and to the Taipei University were the main highlights of this Taiwan trip. A sumptuous dinner along with a unforgettable experience of a massive earthquake in Taipei concluded this historic trip.
(The writer is Ex. MLA Delhi Govt. & All India BJP Jt. Convenor Overseas Cell and can be contacted at 119, Anupam Garden Lane No. 3, Sainik Farms, New Delhi-110 068, Email: [email protected])
