Taipei: India's Representative to Taiwan, Manharsinh Yadav, expressed hope that Taiwan and India can leverage their strengths through a bilateral partnership to drive growth in the artificial intelligence (AI) and chipmaking industries. Speaking at a banquet in Taipei to mark India's 76th Republic Day, Yadav highlighted the achievements of the two countries over the past year, particularly in the technology sector.
According to Focus Taiwan, one notable achievement was the groundbreaking ceremony at a landmark 12-inch wafer fab by India's Tata Electronics and Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. in Dholera. The event was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who delivered a pre-recorded speech. Yadav emphasized India's growing economic influence and its rising status in the chipmaking industry, noting the country's economic growth rates of 6 to 8 percent and its position as the fifth-largest economy in the world last year.
Yadav also spoke about the Semicon India event, which attracted the largest gathering of CEOs and business leaders from the semiconductor manufacturing industry. He noted that most semiconductor design houses have established significant facilities in India, all of which announced expansions in the past year. Yadav remarked that the ongoing AI revolution aligns with the strengths of both Taiwan and India, citing India's talent in software, design capabilities, and data as crucial for AI development.
He expressed optimism that the India-Taiwan partnership would play a significant role as Taiwan pursues President Lai Ching-te's vision of becoming an "AI island." Yadav concluded by highlighting the resilience of both Taiwan and India, referencing Taiwan's performance at the WBSC Premier12 Championship Game and India's showing at the Cricket World Cup.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang also commented on the strengthening bilateral ties as the two sides mark the 30th anniversary of the mutual establishment of representative offices this year. Tien noted the significant growth in bilateral trade over the past three decades, with over 260 Taiwanese companies now operating in India. He also mentioned the flourishing educational and cultural exchanges, expressing confidence in the future potential of Taiwan-India cooperation and exchanges.