Taiwan Sees New Growth Phase in South India Partnership, Focuses on Manufacturing and Technology Collaboration

TECC Chennai highlights opportunities in semiconductors, EVs, electronics, tourism, research and industrial partnerships with Tamil Nadu.

Stephen S.C. Hsu, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Chennai, said Taiwan and South India are witnessing stronger economic and industrial cooperation, driven by shared democratic values, complementary economies and mutual trust.

According to Hsu, Tamil Nadu has emerged as one of Taiwan's most significant partners in India due to its industrial ecosystem and manufacturing capabilities. Referring to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, he said that as of June 2026, nearly 325 Taiwanese businesses had invested approximately ₹2,14,400 crore in India.

He noted that cooperation is expanding across semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, information technology, higher education and talent development.

Discussing sectors with the greatest collaboration potential, Hsu identified semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), green technologies, battery manufacturing, precision machinery and smart mobility solutions as important areas. He also pointed to Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing as fields expected to generate increased cooperation.

On tourism, Hsu said Taiwan has witnessed rising visitor numbers from India. He stated that 1,888 visas were issued to applicants from South India between January and June 2025, compared with 5,633 during the whole of 2024. As of the interview, 5,669 visas had already been issued in 2026, with expectations of crossing 8,449 by year-end.

He said more Indian travellers are exploring Taiwan for its cultural heritage, natural attractions, cuisine, public transport and safety, while an increasing number of visitors are also travelling from Taiwan to South India for exhibitions, business, education and medical services.

Addressing manufacturing cooperation, Hsu said Taiwanese companies see opportunities in Tamil Nadu across electronics manufacturing, footwear, textiles, precision machinery, information and communication technology, and logistics. He added that Tamil Nadu's industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce and supportive policy environment make it an attractive destination for long-term partnerships.

He also highlighted growing collaboration between Taiwanese universities, research institutions, startups and industries through research projects, faculty exchanges, startup incubation programmes, innovation cooperation, technology transfer and industrial internships.

As an example, Hsu referred to cooperation involving National Formosa University (NFU) in Taiwan, Chennai Institute of Technology (CIT) and AGEM Technology through the Industry-Academia Office, which was launched on September 21 to support talent development.

During a meeting hosted by Tamil Nadu Guidance on July 17, attended by Minister for Industries S. K. N. Nehru, Hsu said he proposed establishing an efficient single-window system for Taiwanese businesses, ensuring stable water and electricity supply, improving infrastructure and simplifying administrative procedures.