China protests over Modi's reply to Taiwan president greetings on poll win

CHINA on Thursday (6) objected to Indian prime minister-elect Narendra Modi's statement on social media that he looked forward to having closer ties with Taiwan. According to Beijing, New Delhi should resist the Taiwanese authorities' "political considerations".

China views the island of Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force.

The Indian leader's remarks came in response to a congratulatory message from Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te on his election victory on Tuesday (4).

Lai, elected as Taiwan's president last month, congratulated Modi in a post on X saying, “My sincere congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his election victory. We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan-#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the #IndoPacific."

Read: These world leaders to attend Modi's third oath-taking ceremony

Replying to the message, Modi said, "Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership”.

Reacting to the exchange of messages, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing has lodged a protest with New Delhi on this.

First of all, there is no president in the Taiwan region, Mao said, when asked for her comments at a media briefing in the Chinese capital.

Read: India election results & UK: What Simon McDonald said

“On this question, China opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China,” she said.

There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China, she said.

The 'One China' principle is a universally recognised norm in international relations and the prevailing consensus, she said. India has made serious political commitments and should resist Taiwan authorities' political calculations, she said.

“China has protested to India about this," she said.

Lai, 64, was sworn in as president of the estranged island of Taiwan on May 20 after winning the Presidential poll.

In his inaugural address the same day, he called on Beijing to cease its intimidation of the self-ruled island after his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has championed democracy in the face of years of growing threats from China, emerged victorious in the polls held in January.

(With PTI inputs)