Sehrish Khan
CPEC is the fate of people of Pakistan as it will not only benefit Pakistan and China but will have positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asian Republic and the region. As a pilot project of BRI, which focuses on connectivity and cooperation to promote common prosperity, the CPEC is a win-win proposition for Pakistan and the region. The enhancement of geographical linkages having improved roads, rail and air transportation system with frequent and free exchanges of growth and people to people contact, enhancing understanding through academic, cultural and regional knowledge and culture, activity of higher volume of flow of trade and businesses, producing and moving energy to have more optimal businesses and enhancement of co-operation by win-win model will result in well connected, integrated region of shared destiny, harmony and development. However, CPEC has faced criticism and negative publicity since its inception from countries that feel threatened by the rise of Pakistan and China. And since investment in future projects depends largely on the assessments of their potential, negative narratives could make it difficult to realize the full potential of the CPEC.
As Chabahar is the Iran’s southern port city on the Gulf of Oman, which is the best access point to the Indian Ocean. It is part of the Iranian Sistan- Balochistan Province, bordering Pakistani Balochistan. Iran is planning to use this port for trans-shipment to Afghanistan and Central Asia whereas it desires to keep the port of Bandar Abbas exclusive for trade with Europe and Russia as a major hub. Chabahar port is connected to Iran’s national highways network and a railway track is also being laid. Iran, with the help of the Chabahar Agreement with India is thus facilitating Indian access to the gas and oil resources of Iran and Central Asia. India is helping Iran with an amount of $85 million to develop Chabahar to connect Afghanistan with Central Asia and the Middle East. This way India would be able to bypass Pakistan, which provides a much shorter route for the Asian Development Bank’s proposed project TAPI (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan- Pakistan-India) for transporting the Caspian Sea gas resources to India without any interruption from Pakistan. Gwadar holds an edge over Chabahar for its utility, geographic location to dominate the maritime waters, and its proximity with China due to the road link. Chabahar is not located in the Indian Ocean region where India’s other functional ports like; Mumbai, Kolkata and Goa are located having the cover of the Indian Navy to ensure their maritime operations. Unfortunate for India, the proximity of Gwadar to Chabahar (only 72 kms) with the former in a Pakistan Navy dominated area would always remain an irritant for her.
Though Afghanistan is a partner in the Indian trade agreement of Chabahar, the signatory is the Afghan government which does not exercise its command and control over a large portion of Afghanistan, especially the Afghan Taliban controlled southern Afghanistan region. They do not have any commonality of interest with India, whereas Pakistan has historic and cultural links with Afghanistan. The meddling in the affairs of Pakistan is India’s hobby. The arrest of Indian Navy Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav from Baluchistan, who was planted by Indian RAW for carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan, is prime evidence. Pakistan has had a longstanding tried and tested relationship with China. The two countries have already worked jointly on economic, social, military and other projects. Their economic, military, strategic goals are more or less aligned, which has led to a great understanding and trust between the two countries.
As per Modi’s anti Pakistan declared policy, India was struggling to isolate Pakistan at regional and world levels. However, as India got disappointed to observe that due to the construction of the CPEC, Pakistan was getting popular at the regional and world levels and Indian efforts of isolating Pakistan were failing, it started opposing the CPEC out of frustration. Indian leaders should now realize that it is harmful to go against the tide and any negativity played against Pakistan would cost a lot to India. Therefore, it is better that India should give up its negative politics being played against the CPEC and instead of opposing the project, it should decide to join for drawing the related major economic benefits. Prior to this, India should resolve the Kashmir dispute on a permanent basis so that South Asian countries could focus on their economic development through intra regional and inter regional integration through CPEC.
