News Excerpt:

Officials from the United States, India, and Taiwan gathered for a cybersecurity workshop on December 11-12 under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF).

About the news:

• The first in-person GCTF program in India, co-hosted by the US ambassador to India, was attended by representatives from the US, India, and Taiwan in New Delhi.
• This event signifies a significant step in cybersecurity cooperation, as the GCTF serves as a platform for sharing expertise in areas often restricted in international institutions.
• India, with over 800 million internet users and 1.2 billion smartphones, considers cybersecurity integral to its national security. 
• The collaborative administration of the GCTF by the US, Taiwan, the Australian Office in Taipei, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association reflects a shared commitment to addressing contemporary challenges.

Regional stability and China’s viewpoint:

• This trilateral collaboration on cybersecurity is likely to have implications for regional stability.
• It is aimed to counter digital threats and enhance collective security in the Indo-Pacific region.
• This strategic alignment could balance China's growing influence and assertiveness in the region.
• China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official interaction, may view this development as a challenge to its regional aspirations.
• The collaboration could be seen as a concerted effort to counter Chinese influence in cyberspace and as a tacit support for Taiwan's international presence, despite its exclusion from global platforms.