New Delhi [India], September 17 (ANI): Taiwan possesses the technology to manufacture products using rare earth minerals but requires India’s resources for effective collaboration.
Speaking with ANI, Keven Cheng, Deputy Director of TAITRA, said Taiwan is keen on sourcing rare earth minerals from India. These elements are critical for sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defense. “We have the technology to make some products, but we need the materials in India so that we can work together,” Cheng said on the sidelines of the Taiwan Expo 2025.
India is believed to hold around 6.9 million metric tons of rare earth reserves, making it the world’s third-largest holder. This resource, if fully tapped, could position India as a key long-term supplier. Taiwan and India can complement each other, with Taiwan providing manufacturing technology and India offering talent and resources.
Speaking on semiconductors, Cheng noted that Taiwanese companies, including PSMC (Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation), plan to invest in India for large-scale production next year. PSMC, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, specializes in memory and logic chips.
The Indian Ministry of Mines has been working to ensure supply chain resilience for critical minerals, including rare earth elements, which are essential for sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defense. The Ministry is also engaging through multilateral and bilateral platforms, including the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), to strengthen the critical minerals value chain.
Cheng highlighted that Taiwan produces around 60 percent of the world’s semiconductors, while India is emerging in this sector. “Micro-semiconductor companies, like Applied Materials, are investing in India. In the near future, more semiconductor supply chains will move to India to create a semiconductor cluster. Taiwanese companies will participate as well,” he said.
Amid tariff challenges and global supply chain realignments, Cheng said India’s domestic market, talent pool, and strategic location make it an indispensable new manufacturing hub for Taiwanese enterprises. “Most of our exports currently go to the US market. Our government may find solutions to help companies impacted by tariffs. TAITRA will arrange more events worldwide and secure subsidies to assist these companies,” he added.
Discussing bilateral trade, Cheng said the industries in Taiwan and India are complementary. “We have manufacturing technology, and India has a talent pool. In the future, we can cooperate to face challenges in the industry,” he said.
Since its launch in 2018, Taiwan Expo has been held eight consecutive years, providing a platform for Taiwanese companies to expand in India. Both sides have already achieved results in semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, ICT, and smart machinery. Speaking at the Expo, Cheng said, “This is the eighth edition in India since 2018 to assist Taiwanese companies, strengthen ties with Indian companies, and work together to face challenges like reciprocal tariffs.” (ANI)
About The Author
