“The tariffs have brought unprecedented challenges to enterprises globally. Under this backdrop, international cooperation has become more critical,” said Chen Yu-Chi, Executive Director, Economic Affairs, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre, India, in an interview with Business India.
Taiwan has been organising Expos in India for the past 8 years, and this year’s event will feature over 100 participating companies.
“Our bilateral trade with India currently stands at $10.6 billion. More than 300 Taiwanese enterprises operate in India, with cumulative capital investments of around $5.8 billion,” Chen added.
India exports metals, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals to Taiwan, while imports from Taiwan include semiconductors, mobile phones, and machinery.
Taiwanese companies are looking to expand in the Indian market, which Chen describes as highly diverse. She noted that this reflects the deepening integration of the Taiwan-India industrial value chain and the growing commitment of Taiwanese businesses to the Indian market.
Meanwhile, Keven Cheng, Deputy Director of TAITRA, noted that amid tariff challenges and global supply chain realignments, India’s vast domestic market, abundant talent pool, and strategic location have made it an indispensable manufacturing hub for Taiwanese enterprises.
“Since its launch in 2018, the Taiwan Expo has been held for eight consecutive years, underscoring the foresight of government efforts to help enterprises diversify their markets. It has become a vital platform for Taiwanese companies to expand in India, with both sides already achieving results in sectors such as semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, ICT, and smart machinery,” Cheng added.
Promotional platform
Amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and global supply chains, Taiwan and India have strengthened ties in technology and electronics manufacturing. Taiwanese companies are drawn to India not only for its market potential but also as a base for establishing deeper long-term operations. This year’s Taiwan Expo will welcome many Taiwanese firms entering the Indian market for the first time, while also serving as a promotional platform for companies already established
in India.
Among the exhibitors is Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), a major Taiwanese enterprise with an established presence in India. Taiwan and India have actively promoted economic, trade, and talent exchanges in recent years, and for India, Taiwan remains a reliable partner.
The upcoming Expo offers entrepreneurs from both nations greater opportunities for collaboration, fostering innovation and economic growth. Taiwan is also seeking a Free Trade Agreement with India to further strengthen trade ties.
Taiwan’s ‘New Southbound Policy’, launched in 2016 by then President Tsai Ing-Wen and continued under President Lai Ching-te, has proved successful for Taiwan and its partner countries across the region, including India.
As India moves towards its goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2028 and a developed nation by 2047, it is expected to seek increased foreign investment. At the time of publication, around 200 Taiwanese businesses have invested in India’s electronics, IT, and petrochemical sectors. Taiwan’s initiative to establish industrial zones abroad could unlock further opportunities for investment in India.