The Chinese government has lodged a formal protest with India following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to a congratulatory message from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, as reported by the Global Times. While President Lai congratulated Modi on his election victory, China's envoy to India also extended greetings on behalf of the Chinese government.

Chinese Foreign Office spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China's firm opposition to any official interactions between Taiwan and countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. "There is only one China in the world. India has made serious political commitments regarding the one-China principle and should be vigilant against the political schemes of the Taiwan authorities and refrain from actions that violate the one-China principle," Ning stated.

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, is not recognized as a sovereign state by the People's Republic of China. India, adhering to the "One China" policy, recognizes the People's Republic of China as the legitimate government, including its claim over Taiwan. Despite this, India maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

On June 4, President Lai of Taiwan congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his Lok Sabha election victory, expressing hopes for an enhanced Taiwan-India partnership in trade, technology, and other sectors. Modi responded by thanking Lai for his warm message and expressing a desire for closer economic and technological collaboration.

Although Chinese President Xi Jinping has not yet congratulated Modi, the Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, conveyed his greetings, emphasizing the importance of a stable China-India relationship.

The diplomatic relations between India and China are currently strained due to the ongoing military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since May 2020. Conversely, India and Taiwan have been strengthening their ties in technology, finance, and cultural exchanges. While India officially upholds the "One China" policy, its stance has evolved in response to changing geopolitical dynamics.