Why is India caught in U.S.-China spat over Taiwan’s status at WHO? Explain.
India is set to take over as the next Chairperson of the World Health Organization’s decision-making executive body in May.
India is now faced with a major choice on whether to support a U.S. move to reinstate Taiwan’s observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA) or to agree to China’s opposition to it.
As tensions between the U.S. and China rise over the novel coronavirus pandemic, this has come as a diplomatic dilemma for India.
The U.S. has, in the recent past, accused WHO of acting as a “PR agency” for China during the pandemic.
India is also taking part in a virtual meeting of the 8-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) led by China and Russia, which will discuss responses to the pandemic.
The meeting was held on the same day the U.S. Senate passed an Act (S.249) to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization.
India’s nominee will take over as the Chairperson of WTO, replacing Japan.
