<P> Taiwan is in a similar situation . Only 20 countries recognize the Republic of China as the government of Taiwan . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty of Taiwan, see Political status of Taiwan . </P> <P> Most sovereign states are states de jure and de facto (i.e., they exist both in law and in reality). However, a state may be recognised only as a de jure state, in that it is recognised as being the legitimate government of a territory over which it has no actual control . For example, during the Second World War, governments - in - exile of a number of continental European states continued to enjoy diplomatic relations with the Allies, notwithstanding that their countries were under Nazi occupation . The PLO and Palestinian Authority claim that the State of Palestine is a sovereign state, a claim which has been recognised by most states, though the territory it claims is under the de facto control of Israel . Other entities may have de facto control over a territory but lack international recognition; these may be considered by the international community to be only de facto states . They are considered de jure states only according to their own law and by states that recognise them . For example, Somaliland is commonly considered to be such a state . For a list of entities that wish to be universally recognised as sovereign states, but do not have complete worldwide diplomatic recognition, see the list of states with limited recognition . </P> <P> Although the terms "state" and "government" are often used interchangeably, international law distinguishes between a non-physical state and its government; and in fact, the concept of "government - in - exile" is predicated upon that distinction . States are non-physical juridical entities, and not organisations of any kind . However, ordinarily, only the government of a state can obligate or bind the state, for example by treaty . </P> <P> Generally speaking, states are durable entities, though it is possible for them to become extinguished, either through voluntary means or outside forces, such as military conquest . According to a 2004 study, violent state abolition has virtually ceased since the end of World War II . Because states are non-physical juridical entities, it has been argued their extinction cannot be due to physical force alone . Instead, the physical actions of the military must be associated with the correct social or judiciary actions in order to abolish a state . </P>

What is meant by declaring india as a sovereign state