India sticking to ambiguity in relations with China: Analysts

Delhi takes hands-off approach amid Taiwan tensions, likely will put national interest first

Even as China has been pushing India to reiterate its support for the “one China” policy amid tensions with Taiwan, New Delhi has avoided being drawn into the evolving situation, while still using the occasion to send a message to China.

New Delhi broke its silence after tensions went up in the Taiwan Strait following the two-day Taiwan visit of United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi from Aug 2.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi last week urged “de-escalation of tensions” and, without naming any country, asked for “avoidance of unilateral actions to change the status quo”. He also added that India did not need to reiterate support for the “one China” policy.

Taiwan has since thanked India for the reaction, while China’s Ambassador to India Sun Weidong on Sunday urged India to express its backing for the “one China” policy.

The policy refers to Beijing’s position that there is only one Chinese government, which means withholding any official recognition for Taiwan.

India follows the “one China” policy but has not publicly stated its position since 2008, amid recurring border tensions with China.

This time, too, India has preferred ambiguity, with analysts noting that the country is playing hardball when it comes to China.