The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Washington): In response to China’s protest over the exchange of greetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the US State Department clarified that such congratulatory messages between foreign leaders are a standard aspect of diplomatic business.
“I would say that such congratulatory messages are the normal course of diplomatic business,” stated State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller during his daily news conference on Thursday. Miller was responding to questions about China’s objection to Modi’s comment expressing a desire for closer ties with Taiwan following his victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi responded to a congratulatory message from Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. Lai, who was elected as Taiwan’s President last month, posted on X: “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.”
In his reply, also posted on X, 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.”
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force if necessary. On Thursday, China objected to the exchange between the Indian and Taiwanese leaders, urging New Delhi to resist Taiwan authorities’ “political calculations.”
Addressing a media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s stance, stating, “China opposes all forms of official interactions between the Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China.”