Taiwan, where Netaji went missing, offers to open its national archives to 'rediscover legacy'

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     Taiwan has offered to open its national archives and database to 'rediscover' the legacy of illustrious Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Taiwan, which was under Japanese occupation in 1940s, was the last country that he was seen alive in. While consensus is that he died in a crash in Taiwan in 1945, controversy refuses to die.   

     According to various accounts, after the plane crash in August 1945 he was taken to Army Hospital Nanmon Branch in Taipei where he died. The hospital is the present-day Taipei City Hospital Heping Fuyou Branch.   

    Taiwanese deputy envoy explained, "Lot of young historians are conducting researches with South East Asia, even with India. A lot of historical documents and evidence on Netaji, and Indian Independence movement are in Taiwan. Right now, very few Indian scholars know about it." 

    Pointing out that “with India and Netaji, we have historical connections" that Taiwanese did not know, the diplomat in Delhi, said, "In 1940s, Chiang Kai-shek wrote about Netaji in his dairy. He felt sympathy...decision to cooperate with Japanese fight for independence, is understandable."   

    He elaborated, "Taiwan and India should re-examine and re-discover the common history of Indo-Pacific" since we have "historical connections".  

    Pointing out that “with India and Netaji, we have historical connections" that Taiwanese did not know, the diplomat in Delhi, said, "In 1940s, Chiang Kai-shek wrote about Netaji in his dairy. He felt sympathy...decision to cooperate with Japanese fight for independence, is understandable."