India Has Many Reasons Not To Support The Chinese BRI

December 1, 2020

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Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 12:17 pm

The Chinese BRI: In its attempt to show retaliation against China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India did not attend a meeting with the other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The Centre has been opposing it because a large part of the BRI runs through the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

BRI or the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, President Xi Jinping’s flagship programme for trade and connectivity, was backed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in a joint communiqué issued at the end of the SCO council of heads of government meeting hosted by India.

India has reasons not to trust China who is said to also entered a military deal with Pakistan. Apparently, China’s Defence Minister and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Wei Fenghe has already visited the headquarters of the Pakistani army at Rawalpindi. Both countries are going to enhance their military capabilities.

India has opposed the BRI also because it does give a level playing ground for the mutual economic gains. Surprisingly, the other countries are favoring the deal because it will help build a bridge [between] The Eurasian Economic Union and OBOR.

Former ambassador Vishnu Prakash noted that the SCO meeting was held at a time when India is decoupling from China and it was “no longer business as usual” between the two countries. There is also an “unholy alliance” between China and Pakistan that will thwart India’s initiatives, he said.