New York: Amid China’s objections to the exchange of greetings between Narendra Modi and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the US State Department has affirmed that such diplomatic niceties between foreign leaders are customary.
Speaking at his daily news conference on Thursday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized, “I would say that such congratulatory messages are the normal course of diplomatic business.”
Miller’s remarks came in response to China’s protest against Modi’s statement expressing his anticipation of closer ties with Taiwan following his victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
Modi’s comments, made on Wednesday, were prompted by a congratulatory message from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who was elected last month. Lai’s message, shared on X, conveyed, “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 response, Modi conveyed on X, “Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership.”
China considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland, even if by force.
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On Thursday, China objected to the exchange between the Indian and Taiwanese leaders, urging New Delhi to reject what it termed as Taiwan authorities’ “political calculations.”
During a media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “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.”
