In the case of India-Taiwan relations, think tanks have played a pivotal role in cultivating a deeper understanding of each other’s interests and promoting cooperation.
The absence of diplomatic relations continues to hinder the prospects of cooperation between Taiwan and like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific. In a situation where Taiwan’s foreign relations are still challenged by structural obstacles and the so-called China factor, think tanks and civil society organisations are increasingly instrumental in forging closer ties between Taiwan and countries both within the region and beyond. Think tanks have evolved into a significant tool of unconventional diplomacy for Taiwan.
Collaboration among think tanks has become a critical priority for Taiwan within the framework of the New Southbound Policy. Taiwan’s proactive outreach efforts began long before the deterioration in cross-Strait relations. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan has consistently recognised the importance of countries within the New Southbound Policy framework. This awareness served as a pivotal motivation for launching the New Southbound Policy, which constituted the inaugural major policy initiative of the Tsai Ing-wen administration in 2016. Although Taiwan has only recently embraced the concept of engaging with Asian countries through an institutionalised framework, it has demonstrated remarkable success in fostering more robust partnerships. This success can be attributed, in part, to China’s assertive behaviour and Taiwan’s proactive desire to assume a strategic role within its geographic region.
As Taiwan intensifies its efforts to expand its global outreach and engagement, it is imperative for the country to bolster its strategic community and civil society, particularly in light of China’s increasing aggression. For Taiwan, think tanks and their affiliated dialogues hold significant importance, as they occasionally host members of parliaments, officials, scholars, and former heads of state. These platforms provide both Taiwan and countries with which Taiwan does not have diplomatic ties yet with a valuable avenue for better understanding Taiwan. Some of the important and influential fora include Ketagalan Forum, Taiwan-United States-Japan Trilateral Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue, and Yushan Forum. Additionally, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense think tank, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, regularly convenes dialogues with strategic communities from other countries. These dialogues have proven highly effective in helping the Indo-Pacific countries assess the potential risks associated with China’s potential invasion of Taiwan and in formulating coordinated responses.
In the case of India-Taiwan relations, think tanks have played a pivotal role in cultivating a deeper understanding of each other’s interests and promoting cooperation, with a shared emphasis on mutual benefits. The deteriorating relations of both countries with China, compounded by China’s assertive actions challenging the sovereignty of India and Taiwan, have compelled these two countries to acknowledge the significance of strengthening their ties. As both Taiwan and India distance themselves from the need to heed China’s unreasonable redlines, people of both countries are witnessing a growing positive perception towards each other. Calls for closer relations between India and Taiwan have also resonated within the strategic communities on both sides. In history, there has never been such a remarkable surge in positive publications advocating for the government to adopt a proactive stance towards Taiwan. The influence of think tanks in urging the Indian government to reevaluate its position on Taiwan, or even conduct a comprehensive review of its Taiwan policy, should not be underestimated.
Amidst growing calls for increased cooperation between India and Taiwan, both countries are recognising the importance of collaboration and are acutely aware of the challenges they face. They are actively exploring alternative channels for engagement when their respective governments cannot openly communicate. In this context, Indian and Taiwanese think tanks have played a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue and advancing collaboration. A significant example of such cooperation includes the joint feasibility study for a Free Trade Agreement conducted by Taiwan’s Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research (CIER) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) in 2012. More recently, there has been collaboration between Taipei-based Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and India’s prominent think tanks such as the Observer Research Foundation and the National Maritime Foundation.
In the present era, there is a notable inclination among Indo-Pacific governments to actively engage with and understand Taiwan’s perspective. Taiwan’s diverse think tank community has emerged as a valuable partner to its government in these efforts. Promoting and fostering such exchanges is imperative, given the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape. A more profound understanding of the Cross-Strait situation and the substantial benefits of engaging with Taiwan have become of utmost significance, with think tanks playing a pivotal role.
Alan H. Yang is Professor, Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies and Executive Director at Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF).
Sana Hashmi is Fellow at TAEF and George H. W. Foundation for U.S.-China Relations. She tweets @sanahashmi1.