Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), launched in 2015, is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure development project spanning across Asia, Africa, and Europe. CPEC aims to connect Xinjiang province of China with Gwadar Port in Pakistan, creating a network of highways, railways, pipelines, and power plants. It represents a $62 billion investment, making it one of the largest bilateral infrastructure projects globally. However, India has consistently maintained a distance from CPEC, citing significant concerns.
Description of CPEC
CPEC comprises several key projects:
- Infrastructure Development: Upgrading and building roads, railways, and ports.
- Energy Projects: Establishing power plants to address Pakistan’s energy crisis.
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Creating industrial zones along the corridor to boost economic activity.
- Fiber Optic Cable: Laying a fiber optic cable to improve connectivity.
Reasons for India’s Distance
India’s opposition to CPEC stems from several factors:
- Sovereignty Concerns: CPEC passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), which India claims as its integral territory. India views the project as a violation of its sovereignty.
- Security Implications: Increased Chinese presence in POK raises security concerns for India, potentially altering the regional power balance.
- Debt Trap Diplomacy: Concerns exist that CPEC could lead to Pakistan falling into a debt trap with China, impacting its economic stability and potentially giving China undue influence. (As per reports from various think tanks, including the Council on Foreign Relations - knowledge cutoff 2023)
- Lack of Consultation: India was not consulted during the planning and implementation of CPEC, leading to a sense of exclusion and mistrust.
- Geopolitical Rivalry: CPEC is seen as part of China’s broader strategy to encircle India and enhance its influence in the region.
India’s participation in BRI, including CPEC, would imply tacit acceptance of China’s claims over disputed territories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CPEC, while presented as an economic initiative, is deeply intertwined with geopolitical considerations and territorial disputes. India’s consistent distancing from the project is rooted in legitimate concerns regarding sovereignty, security, and strategic implications. While economic cooperation with China is desirable, it must be based on mutual respect and adherence to international law, conditions currently unmet in the context of CPEC.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.