Is The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Illegal? India Feels So!

Why, according to India, is the China-Pakistan economic corridor illegal? What about it is hurting one of the biggest, foremost or widely-growing economies in this part of Asia where there is always a buzz in the realm of business and trade with respect to infrastructure, intellectual power, a promising entrepreneurship ecosystem, and whatnot?

Apparently, India has declared the China-Pakistan economic corridor to be illegal and one can state, has come out in strong criticism of the two countries that are often closely linked with upping the tempo of trade, commerce, and bilateral ties.

But that said, before we get into this, it is important to note that the so-called economic corridor passes through the parts of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

On that front, the views of the Ministry of External Affairs of India was of the view that the so-called China-Pakistan economic corridor is actually a part of that bit of geography, which according to the Modi-led country, is under illegal construction.

Of course, for the longest time, among the dominant debates and narratives in this part of the world much like the bitter conflict between an Israel and Pakistan has been the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan with the key reference to the context being the region of Kashmir.

It makes none any richer intellectually to know that the disputed region of Kashmir has often seen India and Pakistan locking horns on a tense, close battle and war of words that persists, even today.

Surely, one of the key events of 2019, was the scrapping of the special status that had been attributed to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370, of course, intensified an already heated debate that’s often underlined or should one say intensified the political dialogue and discussion between India and Pakistan.

That being said, the Indian government, in its rebuking of the China-Pakistan economic corridor also highlighted its concerns to the Chinese side.

So one might wonder, what was being said?

At the present moment, India has tried its best to direct China’s concern toward the much-talked-about China-Pakistan economic corridor by telling its oriental neighbors about Pakistan’s illegal occupation of the regions that fall under such corridor and maps and routes.

That being said, the Economic Times also shared some key insights pertaining to this story and elaborated the following:

Further, the Government is of the firm belief that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognized international norms. They must follow principles of openness, transparency and financial responsibility and must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of other nations, the MEA stated, adding, Government’s consistent position in this regard has also been endorsed by other countries.

The India-USA Joint Statement ‘Prosperity through Partnership’ released in June 2017 called upon all nations to support bolstering regional economic connectivity through transparent development of infrastructure and the use of responsible debt financing practices while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the rule of law and the environment, the MEA told Lok Sabha.

The India-Japan ‘Prosperity through Partnership’ released in September 2017 also underlined the importance of all countries ensuring the development and use of connectivity infrastructure in an open, transparent and non-exclusive manner based on international standards and responsible debt financing 1 practices, while also ensuring respect for territorial sovereignty.