Evaluate the implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for India’s strategic interests in the region and propose responses to safeguard its interests.
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Evaluate the implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for India’s strategic interests in the region and propose responses to safeguard its interests.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part of China's ambitious 'One Belt One Road' initiative that aims to connect China with Europe through a vast network of roads and development projects like railways, dams and pipelines. The corridor ia a staggering 46 billion dollar project which wRead more
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part of China’s ambitious ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative that aims to connect China with Europe through a vast network of roads and development projects like railways, dams and pipelines. The corridor ia a staggering 46 billion dollar project which will connect Kashgar in Xinjiang province of China, with Gwadar port in Baluchistan which is the largest province in Pakistan.
Implications for India’s Strategic Interests :-
1. Threat to Sovereignty – The planned corridor will pass through the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan in the POK region, which India claims to be it’s integral and indepensable territory. The corridor will illegally legitimise Pakistan’s ownership over the region.
2.Geostrategic Implications – CPEC will provide China access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean through the Gwadar Port enhancing China’s naval presence in the area, strategically targetting Indian’s dominance in the region.
3. Geopolitical Tensions – With the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions coupled growing China-Russia-Pakistan Axis acting as a strategic competitor to the United States, the CPEC would exaberate regional instability.
4. Economic Consequences – The Gwadar port will provide China with the shortest route to the oil-rich Middle East. This would not only save millions for China but could potentially divert opportunities from India.
Proposed Measured to Safeguard Indian Interests:-
1. Countering China’s Dominance – India’s investment in the Chahbahar Port, which lies close to Gwadar will directly challenge China’s growing presence in the region.
2. Indian Infrastructure Projects – The “Indian Middle East Corridor” signed during the G-20 summit is a promising counter to CPEC. Other Indian development projects such as India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam and the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway in disputed areas can enhance India’s strategic positioning.
3. Diplomatic Outreach – India could leverage its stance by strengthening diplomatic ties with neighbouring countries and targetting China-Pakistan Axis through its alliances in forums like QUAD and IPEC.
Even though the CPEC promises to bring economic opportunities for the South Asian Region, India must adeptly navigate its diplomatic stance to counter the growing Chinese hegemony within the region, in order it protect its sovereignty and regional stability.
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