A total of 51 agreements were signed in different fields, including infrastructure projects, energy generation, agriculture, education, telecommunications and research.
Of the 51, 30 agreements were linked to the strategic corridor, regarded as the biggest connectivity project between the two countries after Karakoram highway built in 1979.
It will shorten the route for China’s energy imports from the Middle East by about 12,000 kms.
The corridor is expected to be ready in three years and provide about 10,400 MWs of electricity gives China direct access to the Indian Ocean and beyond.
The CPEC is part of the mega Silk Road project initiated by China to firm up its connectivity to Europe, Asia and Africa through roads and port networks.
One of the fallouts would be that China would then wield a much more powerful influence in the Indian Ocean even though geographically speaking China is not an Indian Ocean power.
Moreover, once completed, the CPEC project would mean that the Chinese presence in entire Pakistan, including Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, becomes all pervasive and powerful.
Both countries agreed on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to link China’s underdeveloped far-western region to Pakistan’s Gwadar deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea via what is called PoK.
To the Chinese initiative of “One Belt one Road” – an economic connectivity corridor through Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, India should not have a “knee jerk reaction” to it but try and see if there are ways that India could use the corridor for its own purpose, while also dealing with the negative aspects of the corridor project.
One of India’s concerns in China’s relations with Pakistan is about the impact on nuclear proliferation. Other issue remains China’s assistance in building infrastructure in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
China’s transfer of nuclear reactors to Pakistan has always been explained for the civilian purpose but these reactors are believed to provide dual-use technology that has been used to serve the purpose of enhancing Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. India and Pakistan relations are already dubious due to consistent cross-border attacks on the Indian Territory.
China-Pakistan nuclear trade is also interpreted as an Endeavour to resist acceptance of India as a powerful nuclear state by majority of the countries and also ensure nuclear weapons parity between India and Pakistan.
Mains Questions
“Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.” With regards to the above statement discuss the outcomes of the China-Pakistan deals.
Discuss India’s concern over China-Pakistan Nuclear Nexus.
Bring out the Reasons on why ‘India should be upfront in voicing opposition to China-Pakistan economic corridor’.
Why Indian strategists should worry about China’s huge funding to Pakistan?
What is the impact of growing china-Pakistan relations on the United States and India?
