When diplomacy meets mischief, narratives often collide. This week, <a title="China" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/international/china-s-brahmaputra-dam-sparks-india-concern/16657" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China&rsquo;s</a> official readout following talks between External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi attempted to present <a title="India" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/india/india-aids-lanka-seeks-stable-china-ties-eam/7599" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s</a> position in a way that raised eyebrows across international corridors.
In the Mandarin-language statement released after midnight, Beijing attributed words to Jaishankar suggesting that &ldquo;Taiwan is part of China.&rdquo; An English version of the statement soon carried a similar assertion.
The implication was direct &mdash; as if India had reaffirmed the so-called &lsquo;One China&rsquo; principle. But within hours, New Delhi rejected the claim outright.
&ldquo;There is no change in India&rsquo;s position on Taiwan,&rdquo; Indian officials clarified. India, like many nations, engages with Taiwan through economic, technological, and cultural ties, which it intends to continue.
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Sources familiar with the conversation revealed that when Wang Yi pressed India not to deal with Taiwan, Jaishankar countered by pointing out that China itself conducts trade and cooperation with Taipei in the same sectors.
Since 2010, India has carefully avoided explicitly endorsing the &lsquo;One China&rsquo; policy in joint statements, instead maintaining strategic ambiguity to safeguard its own diplomatic space. While New Delhi does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it sustains an active unofficial partnership.
Beijing&rsquo;s attempt &mdash; intentional or otherwise &mdash; to misrepresent India&rsquo;s stance risks fuelling misunderstandings at the international stage. New Delhi&rsquo;s swift rebuttal underlines that its Taiwan policy remains unchanged and independent.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (on left) and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar (on right)

India rebuts China’s claim of support for ‘One China’ in Jaishankar–Wang talks

China misquotes India on Taiwan stance

India rebuts China’s claim of support for ‘One China’ in Jaishankar–Wang talks

August 20, 2025 | 09:30 IST