Taiwan may get ISA toehold

It's not a full membership, but Taiwan's inclusion reflects India's rivalry with China to be voice of Global South

- Shashank Mattoo & Rituraj Baruah

Taiwan may get a “representation" in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), said two people aware of the development, a move that underscores sharpened rivalry between India and China.

Although Taiwan has sought membership of the alliance, ISA is unlikely to accord it full membership as it is not recognized by the United Nations.

The ISA is the first treaty-based international government organization headquartered in India, and it has been a key part of India’s foreign policy outreach to the developing world.

Among major economies, China and Russia are notable absentees in the list of ISA members and signatories.

The development gains significance as India has been trying to position itself as a renewable energy leader and voice of the developing world that China too has been wooing.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Although most nations, including India, do not recognize Taiwan, New Delhi has pushed a policy of cautious engagement with the island-nation of 23 million people over the last few years.