• UGI USER
  • Nov 11, 2023
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Q2. China Pakistan Economic Corridor has some repercussions for India which possesses security and border issues. In light of the above statement, list various issues that India is facing in this regard.

Answer:

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an ambitious infrastructure development project that aims to connect China’s western region to the Pakistani port of Gwadar through a network of highways, railways, and pipelines.

 

The project has raised concerns for India’s security, primarily due to the following reasons:

 

  • CPEC legitimizes Pakistan’s ownership over the disputed of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and it may lead to the internationalization of the Kashmir issue.
  • The project lacks transparency in its financing arrangements. There are doubts about how the loans will be paid back and what interest rates China is charging.
  • China is a state of power country and they have the ability to influence Pakistan’s policy and it might unofficially become the 24th province of China which again will be an issue for India’s security.
  • These military personnel would be deployed around the projects built by Chinese companies. China can permanently position troops on Pakistan’s soil not too far from India.
  • Chinese naval ships would be deployed at Gwadar in cooperation with the navy of Pakistan for the safeguarding of port and trade. It would enable China to wield much more powerful influence in the Indian Ocean.
  • China has plans to build a naval base in Gwadar port. The presence of Chinese warships in the area implies a security threat to India’s western border of Gujarat and India’s investment in Chabahar port.
  • It could be detrimental to India’s energy and economic security, as more than two-thirds of India’s petroleum imports pass through the area.
  • Being a part of the “string of pearls” theory, the CPEC gives China a strategic foothold in Pakistan and the Indian Ocean, which could be used to contain India’s regional influence.
  • The project aims to develop infrastructure and create economic opportunities in Pakistan, which could make it a more attractive destination for investment and trade than India.

 

 

However, some argue that India’s concerns about the CPEC are overstated. They argue that the project is primarily aimed at improving economic ties between China and Pakistan and is not intended to pose a threat to India’s security. Some also argue that India could benefit from the project if it chooses to participate in it, as it could provide India with access to Central Asia.

 

In a nutshell, The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor does pose some security threats for India, primarily due to its strategic implications and the potential for increased violence and terrorism in the region. However, India could also benefit from the project as it could provide India with access to Central Asia, and it is important for India to engage with China and Pakistan to address its security concerns and explore opportunities for cooperation.