India should adopt an open attitude toward the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor
By Hu Weijia Source:Global Time
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj voiced India's concerns
over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan
occupied Kashmir (POK), during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's India trip,
Indian media reported.
It is regrettable to see CPEC become another unharmonious factor in
Sino-Indian ties, but China is unlikely to give up on the idea of CPEC because
of India's protest. In fact, the economic corridor, linking Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur
Autonomous Region to Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan, does not target any
third party, India included. Given that China has developed close economic ties
with both India and Pakistan in recent years, Beijing is unlikely to be
interested in taking a side between the two countries.
The dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan makes the two
countries habitually vigilant against any possibility of large-scale foreign
investment flowing into the region, but it is the Kashmir conflict itself,
rather than any alleged political intent behind the foreign investment, that
creates tension in the region. Rather than prevent foreign investors from
entering the region as a solution to concerns over CPEC, India should focus on
its negations with Pakistan to settle the Kashmir dispute.
It is precisely because of the region's worsening investment environment that POK's economy is still heavily reliant on agriculture. Also, the northern part of India bordering Pakistan and India-controlled Kashmir both lack basic infrastructure.
The CPEC is not a zero-sum game where Pakistan gains and India loses. If economic cooperation between China and Pakistan can improve infrastructure in the region, including in the Kashmir area, India will have an opportunity to expand trade routes to Central Asia.
It is precisely because of the region's worsening investment environment that POK's economy is still heavily reliant on agriculture. Also, the northern part of India bordering Pakistan and India-controlled Kashmir both lack basic infrastructure.
The CPEC is not a zero-sum game where Pakistan gains and India loses. If economic cooperation between China and Pakistan can improve infrastructure in the region, including in the Kashmir area, India will have an opportunity to expand trade routes to Central Asia.
New Delhi may need to adopt an open attitude toward CPEC so the
project can speed up development in the region and benefit the local
population. Hopefully India can also improve infrastructure in the regions
bordering Pakistan to promote regional economic integration. Any way in which
India can put aside politics and join in the task of economic development would
be welcome.
Economic cooperation between India, Pakistan and China would create an
open atmosphere for launching talks to solve the Kashmir dispute. In this
regard, New Delhi may need to take the long view for its national interests.
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn
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