How can the dispute between India and China affect Taiwan?
China's military activity near the India-Taiwan border has raised eyebrows over whether it will use the ongoing tensions with India to assert its authority over Taiwan.
In early November, the Chinese military conducted military exercises near Taiwan, which China considers the "last Chinese province" between the two regions. The exercises began after a US delegation visited China.
In October, the Chinese military sent 200 fighter jets to Taiwan's air defense identification zone, while Chinese troops on the border with India are training with special weapons operating at high altitudes, as well as having severe cold in the Himalayan region. I have luggage there too.
US warns of intervention in Taiwan
In recent times, China's "One China" thinking has been an important component of its domestic and foreign policy.
Chinese state media have also highlighted President Xi Jinping's warning to his US counterpart. President Xi Jinping told Biden that he was "playing with fire." In a virtual meeting on November 16, the two sides discussed a number of controversial issues.
Taiwan's ruling DPP has called for the country to remain independent and is seeking help from the United States.
Picture of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in US-made fighter jet raises questions
The November 21 edition of the Chinese magazine South China Morning Post (SCMP) stated that "the DPP is promoting a distinct Taiwanese identity and anti-China thinking." The political climate in the country is in favor of 'status quo' and there is not much room for hardliners to speak out for freedom.
In early November, China's censored social media platform Weibo debated whether China should go to war with Taiwan.
On November 21, an analyst wrote in the South China Morning Post that "after the planes sent by Beijing to Taiwan and the harsh statements from the government, some people felt that war was certain."
Border tensions with India
Following the escalation of tensions and casualties in the Gulwan Valley region of Ladakh in 2020, China increased its troop numbers near the border and also installed weapons.
On November 21, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed the Chinese military's Eastern Command conducting exercises in the Himalayan region. The troops were using sniper rifles, anti-tank missiles and grenade launchers.
The SCMP said that on October 19, military sources revealed that China had installed more than 100 long-range rocket launchers to prepare for winter tensions.
India, meanwhile, is building the longest tunnel of its kind that will connect Indian-administered Kashmir to the Ladakh region. Through this tunnel, troops will be able to move faster and shipments will continue throughout the year, even during the snowy season.
News is also circulating in the media that India will deploy a fleet of military drones at high places in the region.
Historically, China's disputes with India and Taiwan have been varied. But in the current international political scenario, the two countries are part of an alliance in which they share common interests.
The Chinese ruling party, the CCP, has a meeting of the National Congress in 2022 and President Xi could establish a monopoly on the party. Disputes between the two countries could help President Xi become the party's general secretary for another term.
According to the Indian news website News18 on November 11, it is possible that China's actions against India are related to Taiwan. The 160 km long water distance between Taiwan and China is difficult to reach while it is easily accessible from the Himalayas.
China and the United States are embroiled in a bitter power play in the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan enjoys the support and military assistance of the United States and Japan, while India is a member of an alliance called the Quad, which includes the United States, Japan and Australia. The alliance is seen as an anti-China platform.
But in the past, the United States, despite being a member of the alliance, has not intervened directly in China's border issues. In such a scenario, experts say, the United States' ability to help its allies will be called into question. This will make it easier for China to operate in Taiwan.
New Delhi, on the other hand, is trying to avoid being dragged into the Taiwan issue, as it could further complicate matters. Talks between the two countries have been limited to "good morals" but limited and no significant diplomacy has been observed.
The President of Taiwan congratulated the Indian Prime Minister on his birthday on Twitter, to which no response was received from Narendra Modi's account.
An editorial in the Deccan Chronicle, an Indian newspaper, published on November 4, said that the silence on Taiwan meant that you were promoting China's rhetoric and that it would strengthen the Chinese ruling party.
It remains to be seen in the days to come whether India will take a stand on the Taiwan issue. The two countries have been invited by the United States to attend a summit called "Summit for Democracy" in December China was not invited to the meeting.