China-Taiwan Tension: Beijing Asks India To Reiterate Support For 'One-China' Policy After Delhi Avoids Mention

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi avoided mentioning the ‘One-China’ policy, noting that India’s position on “relevant” policies is well-known.

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New Delhi: China called India to reiterate its support for the ‘One-China’ policy on Saturday in the backdrop of the crisis in the Taiwan Strait, reported news agency PTI. Beijing’s call comes a day after New Delhi suggested that there was no need for any “reiteration” on it. The comments by Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong were made amid escalating tension between China and Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.

Speaking on the easter Ladakh border standoff, the envoy said that both sides should maintain dialogue and work for a mutually acceptable solution even as he noted that Beijing will work hard to bring the bilateral ties back to the "right track".

"My understanding is that India's 'One China' policy has not changed...We hope that India can reiterate support for the 'One China principle," he told a group of journalists.

During a media briefing on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi avoided mentioning the ‘One-China’ policy, noting that India’s position on “relevant” policies is well-known and consistent and they do not require retieration. 

"India's relevant policies are well-known and consistent. They do not require reiteration," he said.

As per Beijing’s claim, around 160 countries have reaffirmed their support to the "One China" policy following Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, an island that China considers its breakaway province.

Though India supported the 'One China' policy, it has not reiterated the same publicly or in bilateral documents for over a decade.

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"We do hope that the Indian side will continue to stick to its independent foreign policy, understand and support China's just position and its efforts to maintain sovereignty and territorial integrity," Ambassador Sun said.

He said the 'One China' policy is the basis for China-India relations and it is also the foundation of China's ties with all other countries.