Investment in CPEC is a direct challenge to India, India warns both China

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs reprimanded Pakistan and China for implementing the economic corridor project in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. Hence India disputed that such a project is inherently illegal, invalid, and intolerable. Attempting to involve a third country in this project will be a direct challenge to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) meeting was held on July 21st, in which China and Pakistan proposed to encourage third countries to participate in the CPEC project to legitimize the project. India has consistently opposed and has termed the project as illegal. The Pakistani news media reported that both countries are making special efforts to involve Saudi Arabia in this project. Given Saudi’s relationship with India, these efforts are not likely to succeed. However, India has taken notice of these tactics of Pakistan and China.

On Tuesday, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi clarified that the CPEC project between Pakistan and China is inherently illegal and invalid. The territory of PoK is an integral part of India and has been illegally occupied by Pakistan. Arindam Bagchi lambasted China and Pakistan that involving a third country in this illegal project would directly challenge India’s sovereignty and integrity.

Meanwhile, despite the big claims, the CPEC project is currently stalled. China is alleging that Pakistan’s position regarding this project is uncertain. Also, the project has been affected by the political instability in Pakistan. Therefore, China’s super ambitious plan to build a network of roads and railways to directly connect the Gwadar port in Balochistan province of Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang province seems to be a long-fetched dream.

The CEPC project is planned to pass through PoK, an Indian territory, and India has strongly registered its opposition. Senior journalists in Pakistan had made it clear that the CPEC project would not be viable if India did not participate. China’s ill intentions and strategic motives behind this project have been exposed repeatedly. China attempted to get India involved in this project. However, on all occasions, India has denied its participation and termed this project illegal. Even now, China seems to be attempting to increase pressure on India by involving a third country in the project.

Speaking at a program organized by a university in Jammu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that PoK is an integral part of India and hinted that it would soon be in India’s possession.