[DEC] China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

flagship project of the multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -> aimed at enhancing Beijing’s influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

• 3,000 km
• consists of highways, railways, and pipelines.
• eventually aims at linking the city of Gwadar in South Western Pakistan to China’s North Western region Xinjiang through a vast network of highways and railways.
• financed by heavily-subsidised loans to pakistan

Question 2

Concerns for India?

Answer 2

It passes through PoK.

CPEC rests on a Chinese plan to secure and shorten its supply lines through Gwadar with an enhanced presence in the Indian Ocean. Hence, it is widely believed that upon CPEC’s fruition, an extensive Chinese presence will undermine India’s influence in the Indian Ocean.

It is also being contended that if CPEC were to successfully transform the Pakistan economy that could be a “red rag” for India which will remain at the receiving end of a wealthier and stronger Pakistan.