India Issues Statement As China, Pak Invite Other Nations To Join Project Involving PoK
Mumbai: India criticised China and Pakistan’s invitation to any “interested” third nations to join the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
India said it considers such participation unacceptable as the projects are being carried out in areas where Pakistan has illegally occupied Indian territory.
India said that if any country decides to participate in these projects, their action would be a direct violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “We have seen reports encouraging the proposed participation of third countries in so-called CPEC projects. Any such action by any party directly violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.”
“India firmly and consistently opposes projects in the so-called CPEC, which are in Indian territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan. Such activities are inherently illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable, and will be treated accordingly by India,” Bagchi was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.
https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1551775058833448961?s=20&t=cdl-xLTNlCafWliUqvCgcg
The foreign ministry’s remarks came after China and Pakistan decided to welcome “interested” third countries in the CPEC project, which has been opposed by India as well as some sections of Pakistani society.
Many Western countries and their experts see the CPEC as an economic debt trap tool that China uses to hold member states’ sovereignty hostage.
India lodged its protest to China regarding the CPEC outlining that it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Chinese president Xi Jinping, however, highly values the $60 billion flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and sees it as a tool to gain regional and global supremacy.
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