Is New Delhi not sitting on the fence in Taiwan?

A few months back, the Minister of External Affairs proudly claimed that India is not sitting on the fence regarding global politics. Undoubtedly, South Block has every right to deprioritise the Euro-centric world. But, can we ignore that Chinese aggrandisement is not a concern of the Indo-centric world, be it in South Asia or East Asia? Even today, New Delhi officially doesn't recognise Taiwan because of the 'One China' policy. Yet India has commercial and technological cooperation with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center. The cultural centre there is capable of functioning as an Embassy. The rising geo-political tension in the Western Pacific Ocean provides an opportunity for India to do justice to its claim of a rising global power.
In the era of open diplomacy, New Delhi cannot ignore the importance of recognising the Republic of China or Taiwan. It will not essentially ensure peace and amity in the region, but it will boost India's impression in the global power calculus. Like many other significant powers, like Russia and US follow the 'One China' policy. On the other hand, countries like Israel maintain important strategic relations with the Peoples' Republic of China (Communist China) while also recognising and maintaining bilateral relations with Taiwan. Kuomintangs have their reservation on Tibet, which does not fit our version. Nevertheless, recognition or exchanging diplomatic missions is confirmation of each other's version. Importantly, PRC has always spoken on issues of our domestic concern, like Kashmir, refuting the very logic of Kashmir as an integral part. This is the time to balance the power game by introducing a deterrence technique.
Contributor:
Mr. Pradipta Roy,
Assistant Professor, Scottish Church College, Political Science