New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan said in Rajya Sabha that India’s policy regarding Taiwan was clear and consistent. The Minister said that India’s policy on Taiwan focused on promoting interactions in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and other sectors, reported ANI.
In a written reply to a question on Thursday, the Minister of State wrote, “Government of India's policy on Taiwan is clear and consistent. Government facilitates and promotes interactions in areas of trade, investment, tourism, culture, education and other such people-to-people exchanges."
While India does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, both countries have trade and people-to-people ties. Taiwan has been ruled independently from China since 1949. While the island nation has maintained that it is an autonomous country, China claims it to be it’s province and claims of a reunification, even by force.
Responding to a separate question in the Parliament regarding travel restrictions for Indian students studying abroad, the MoS said that the Ministry of External Affairs has taken up the matter with the foreign governments. "As of November 29, 99 countries provided for ease of travel for fully vaccinated Indians based on recognition of India's COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates either through mutual recognition or through their universally applicable health protocols," stated Muraleedharan in a statement.
He said that many countries have eased travel restrictions for Indian students studying in foreign universities. "Consequently, travel restrictions have been eased for Indian students to travel to many countries, including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg etc," the minister added.