Indian envoy hopes to leverage Taiwan AI and chipmaking partnership

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) India's Representative to Taiwan Manharsinh Yadav on Monday 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 recounted the two countries' achievements over the past year through independent endeavors or partnership, especially those in the technology industry.

One such 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, attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yadav said, apparently referring to Modi's pre-recorded speech at the event.

The Indian diplomat also drew attention to India's growing economic clout and increasing standing in the chipmaking industry, noting that his country posted economic growth rates of 6 to 8 percent over the past few years and became the fifth-largest economy in the world last year.

In addition, he said, the Semicon India event saw the largest gathering of CEOs and business leaders from the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Most semiconductor design houses have established large facilities in India, all of which announced expansions in the past year, he added.

Yadav also said that the ongoing AI revolution "aligns with our (Taiwan and India's) strengths."

"With India's exceptional talent in software, design capabilities, and the vital ingredient for AI -- data -- we are well-positioned to leapfrog in this sector," he said, expressing hope that the India-Taiwan partnership will play a significant role as Taiwan pursues President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) vision of becoming an "AI island."

In closing, Yadav said that both Taiwan and India are known for fighting against all odds, which is evident in Taiwan's showing at the WBSC Premier12 Championship Game last year and India's performance at the Cricket World Cup.

"The future might be filled with uncertainties, but in the evolving geo-economic equation, among many complex variables, Taiwan can rely on one constant and that is its partnership with India," he said.

"India shall always 'chip in' with Taiwan and we can rely on our supply chain partnership whenever the 'chips are down,'" Yadav said.

In his remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) said that bilateral ties have grown ever stronger as the two sides mark the 30th anniversary of the mutual establishment of representative offices this year.

Tien said that bilateral trade has seen tremendous growth over the past 30 years, with over 260 Taiwanese companies now operating in India, while educational and cultural exchanges have also flourished.

"As the Taiwan-India friendship deepens, I am confident that future bilateral cooperation and exchanges will be even more fruitful," he said.