Ms. Bonnie S Glaser (German Marshall Fund of US), Prof. Alan Hao Yan (Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation), Dr. Sana Hashmi (Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation), Amb. Ashok Kantha (Institute of Chinese Studies Delhi)

As the Indo-Pacific construct evolves, it is important to look at how this set of relations and its future hold relevance for like-minded countries in the region and what these countries could do to minimise the threat emanating from rising China-Taiwan tensions. Whether Cross-Strait relations improve in future depends on policies adopted by PRC, Taiwan & to some extent, USA. Thus, delineating strategic currents in the Cross-straits relations requires an analysis of dynamics in the Indo-Pacific along with the development of Taiwan as a resilient stakeholder in the context of post-Covid 19 pandemic recovery. With Beijing unlikely to soften its demand that Taiwanese leaders recognize that Taiwan is a part of China, China will step up actions to coerce & isolate Taiwan. Democracies should make greater efforts unilaterally & multilaterally to support Taiwan, to strengthen deterrence. The speakers will discuss the implications for the region and where India’s interests lie.