GS Question

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a significant infrastructure and development project that aims to connect the Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan to China's northwestern region of Xinjiang via a network of highways, railways, and pipelines. It covers a distance of approximately 3,000 kilometers and involves an estimated investment of over $60 billion.

There are several reasons why India has distanced itself from the CPEC:

1. Territorial Dispute: The CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, a region that India claims as a part of its territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India sees the project as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

2. Strategic Concerns: India is concerned about the strategic implications of the CPEC. The project will enhance China's presence in its neighborhood, increasing its influence and potentially encircling India.

3. Impact on Security: India is worried that the CPEC could further enable Pakistan to strengthen its military capabilities, including the potential deployment of Chinese military assets in the region.

4. Lack of Transparency: India has criticized the lack of transparency and inadequate consultations during the planning and implementation of the CPEC. It believes that the project undermines the principles of good governance and could lead to a debt trap for Pakistan.

5. Economic Imbalance: India perceives the CPEC as primarily serving China's economic and strategic interests, rather than being a mutually beneficial initiative. It raises concerns about the potential negative impact on its own economic competitiveness in the region.

Due to these reasons, India has chosen to distance itself from the CPEC and has voiced its opposition to the project on various international platforms. Instead, India has pursued alternative connectivity initiatives, like the International North-South Transport Corridor, to enhance regional connectivity and counterbalance Chinese influence.