Description

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Context

The military escalation by China follows Taiwanese diplomatic engagements & strategic alignment with U.S. & allies prompting China to assert its claim through largemscale People Liberation Army (PLA) exercises island.

Taiwan Strait

Parameter	Detailed Description
Geographic Coordinates	Latitude: ~23°N to 26°N, Longitude: ~119°E to 122°E
Dimensions	~180 km wide at its broadest; narrows to ~130 km
Separating Entities	Mainland China (Fujian Province) & island nation of Taiwan (Republic of China)
Connected Water Bodies	North East China Sea South South China Sea
Maritime Traffic	One of busiest maritime corridors globally 30% of world shipping volume passes through strait including oil, gas & electronics
Geopolitical Flashpoint	Seen as most likely site of a future great power conflict Taiwan is claimed by China but functions as a de facto independent state
Military Activities	Regular PLA air & naval drills Taiwanese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is frequently breached US & allies conduct Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)
Historical Crises	1954–55 & 1958 Taiwan Strait Crises (artillery duels) 1995–96 Missile Crisis (US sent aircraft carriers) 2022 Pelosi visit response 2025 Live-fire PLA drills
Air & Naval Bases Nearby	Chinese bases Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan US bases Okinawa, Guam Taiwan Chiayi, Hualien, Penghu
Economic Stakes	Home to TSMC (world largest chipmaker) Global dependency on Taiwanese semiconductors (~60% of global production)
Legal Status (UNCLOS)	International waters but contested by China China claims entire Taiwan Strait as internal waters which contradicts UNCLOS Article 58 & 87
Global Reactions	USA One China Policy but arms Taiwan (Taiwan Relations Act) India Adheres to One China but increases unofficial ties Japan, Australia Back stability
India’s Maritime Interests	Indian shipping passes through South China Sea Taiwanese semiconductor tech vital for Indian electronics industry (IT hardware, 5G, EVs)
Risk of Escalation	High risk of miscalculation; possible gray-zone conflict involving cyber, naval standoff or blockade
International Law Violations	Any military aggression against Taiwan violates UN Charter Articles 2(4) & 33

QUAD

Aspect	Detailed Description
Full Form	Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
Founding History	Conceptualized during 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami relief Reignited in 2017 to counterbalance China Indo-Pacific assertiveness
Current Members	India, United States, Japan, Australia
Core Objectives	Promote a Free, Open, Inclusive Indo-Pacific Strengthen rules-based order Maintain maritime security & supply chains
Strategic Nature	Non-formal, non-military alliance Strategic coordination without mutual defense obligation
Military Collaboration	Conducts Malabar Naval Exercise (naval interoperability) Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) initiatives HADR, peacekeeping
Major Summits	2021: First virtual Leaders’ Summit 2022: Tokyo Summit (tech & infrastructure focus) 2024: Washington Summit (supply chains, Taiwan Strait)
Technological Cooperation	QUAD Tech Network Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) Cooperation on AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, critical minerals
Vaccine Diplomacy	QUAD Vaccine Partnership India to manufacture, Japan to fund, US to provide tech, Australia to distribute (esp. Indo-Pacific islands)
Space Collaboration	India ISRO + Japan JAXA + NASA + Australian Space Agency for maritime surveillance of Indo-Pacific
Counter-China Strategy	Focus on countering Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) Push for high-standard infrastructure in Indo Pacific countries
Cyber & Information Security	Resilience against Chinese 5G tech, data sovereignty, protection from cyber warfare
India’s Role	Balances strategic autonomy with multilateralism Seeks to prevent Chinese encroachment in Indian Ocean Avoids direct military pact
Taiwan Strait Position	QUAD collectively supports status quo, opposes unilateral attempts to change it by force Emphasizes peaceful resolution via dialogue
China’s Perception	Labels QUAD as Asian NATO Conducts counter drills to demonstrate deterrence
Criticism of QUAD	Lacks institutionalization No clear mutual defense clause Seen by critics as symbolic rather than operational
Coordination with AUKUS	Informal synergy on tech & naval presence Distinct but complementary roles (QUAD = diplomatic/soft power, AUKUS = hard power)
Potential Expansion	Speculated inclusion of South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines or Indonesia as QUAD Plus in future

Indian Interests in Taiwan Strait & QUAD

Dimension	Implications for India
Strategic	Ensures China is checked in Indo Pacific, deters Chinese encroachment in IOR
Economic	Stability in trade routes & access to semiconductors crucial for Make in India & Digital India
Diplomatic	Projecting India as a responsible Indo-Pacific stakeholder
Maritime Security	Enhanced naval coordination & ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capability
Technological	Leverage QUAD for tech transfers in AI, cyber & green infrastructure

Timeline of Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–2025)

Year	Event / Crisis	Details
1949	End of Chinese Civil War	Chiang Kai-shek Kuomintang (KMT) flees to Taiwan after being defeated by Mao Zedong Communist forces. PRC is founded.
1950	US 7th Fleet Deployment	Outbreak of Korean War prompts US to deploy its 7th Fleet to Taiwan Strait to deter PRC invasion.
1954–1955	First Taiwan Strait Crisis	PRC shells Kinmen (Quemoy) & Matsu islands. US Taiwan Mutual Defense Treaty signed. Eisenhower threatens nuclear retaliation. Ceasefire achieved with indirect negotiations.
1958	Second Taiwan Strait Crisis	Renewed PRC bombardment of Kinmen. Massive US military aid to Taiwan (naval convoys, airlifts). Use of Sidewinder missiles. Ceasefire after intense shelling.
1971	UN Resolution 2758	UN recognizes PRC as China expelling Republic of China (Taiwan) from UN.
1979	US–Taiwan Relations Act	Following US PRC normalization this act ensures continued arms sales & support to Taiwan maintaining strategic ambiguity.
1992	Consensus on 'One China'	Informal understanding between PRC & Taiwan: both sides accept One China but with different interpretations.
1995–1996	Third Taiwan Strait Crisis	Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui visits US (Cornell University). PRC conducts missile tests near Taiwan ports. US sends two aircraft carrier groups to area. Taiwan holds first democratic presidential election.
2005	Anti-Secession Law (China)	PRC authorizes use of force against Taiwan if it formally declares independence.
2008–2016	Cross-Strait Détente	Improved ties under Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou (KMT), including trade & tourism agreements.
2016	Election of Tsai Ing-wen (DPP)	Pro-independence stance; PRC suspends official contacts & escalates military pressure.
2019	Hong Kong Protests	Taiwan uses Hong Kong crackdown to justify pushback against PRC One Country, Two Systems model.
2020–2021	PLA Incursions Begin	Frequent Chinese fighter jet incursions into Taiwanese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). US strengthens diplomatic & military contacts.
2022 (Aug)	Nancy Pelosi’s Visit	US Speaker of House visits Taiwan. PRC conducts live-fire drills, ballistic missile launches & simulates a blockade. Largest crisis since 1996.
2023	QUAD & Indo-Pacific Synergy	QUAD joint statements emphasize peace & stability in Taiwan Strait. India avoids directly naming China but supports UNCLOS-based order.
2024	Taiwan Presidential Elections	Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) wins again; PRC launches naval & air pressure tactics, cyberattacks reported.
2025 (Mar–Apr)	New Military Drills in Strait	PRC conducts massive amphibious & aerial drills around Taiwan. Tensions spike due to Taiwanese growing defense ties with US, Japan. Crisis ongoing with risk of miscalculation.

For more such articles, please refer to IAS GYAN

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EDITION

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Taiwan Strait is fast becoming epicenter of 21^st century strategic contestation. Examine implications of increasing militarization of Taiwan Strait on global security & India Indo Pacific policy.