China ready to address Indian concerns over BRI

[Shahzaz ud din]

China ready to address Indian concerns over BRI Published October 22, 2017 SOURCE:

ENS STRESSING THAT it was important for India to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it is willing to engage in “in-depth communication” to address Indian concerns. Senior MFA officials also said that China supports Indian efforts to play a bigger role in international affairs and expressed hope that India would respect Chinese concerns, especially those involving the Dalai Lama and border disputes. “We had invited India to the Belt and Road Forum and hoped they would join the initiative, but India has expressed concerns. We think it is important for India to participate in this programme. We are ready to have in-depth communication with the Indian side to address their relevant concerns,” said Yao Wen, Counsellor of the Department of Asian Affairs under China’s MFA. The official said he hoped that India would “understand” China’s position and join Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiative. According to Yao, Japan and the US had made positive statements about BRI. “So we do not want to see absence of India in BRI. We hope India can join BRI, which is beneficial to the development of this region,” he said. On Wednesday, Xi made multiple references to BRI in his address to the 19th National Congress, an indication of the project’s importance. The ambitious initiative aims to leverage China’s manufacturing clout and enhance trade by connecting Asia, Europe and Africa through a vast network of roads and two sea routes. India chose to skip the the inaugural Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in May, which was attended by 29 heads of state and where 270 MoUs and agreements were signed. India is opposed to the BRI, citing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Azad Kashmir. “India has expressed its concerns on CPEC because they believe CPEC passes through territory they believe is their own. One important project is the Karakoram Road. This is the only land passage between China and Pakistan. It was completed in the 1970s and we are upgrading this road for more convenient transport. We keep telling our friends in India that the BRI and CPEC are not about territorial claims and will not affect China’s position on the Kashmir issue,” Yao said. The official said China considered the Kashmir conflict as a top priority along with the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea dispute and instability in Afghanistan. Just weeks after the BRF, ties between India and China sunk to a low following a military stand-off in Doklam. Ties improved after the BRICS summit in Xiamen where Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks. “China-India relations have seen twists and turns this year. As the major countries in this region, it is natural that we have some disagreements,” Yao said. Yao said China supported India’s development and efforts to play a bigger role in international affairs. “At the same time it is hoped that India could respect China’s concerns, for example, the Dalai Lama issue and the boundary question…” Asked if China had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, Yao said, “The Kashmir issue has been there for years and China hopes it is resolved peacefully. We hope the situation can be managed to avoid further conflicts.”

idrw.org .Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website http://idrw.org/china-ready-address-indian-concerns-bri/ .

 

[enquencher]

Thank ..but no thanks.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

There's no addressing India's concerns because India doesn't have any genuine concerns that can be discussed and addressed. They just have jealousy and spite, and there's no addressing that.

What a pity.

 

[Mukunda Murthi Rao]

There's no addressing India's concerns because India doesn't have any genuine concerns that can be discussed and addressed. They just have jealousy and spite, and there's no addressing that.

What a pity.

But still, the statement by china.

 

[nang2]

that is the very mentality of businessmen: always open for negotiations and don't burn the bridge.

 

[Thetigerforces]

that is the very mentality of businessmen: always open for negotiations and don't burn the bridge.

As it should be

 

[TheBlackCoat]

India is opposed to the BRI, citing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which runs through Azad Kashmir. “India has expressed its concerns on CPEC because they believe CPEC passes through territory they believe is their own. One important project is the Karakoram Road. This is the only land passage between China and Pakistan. It was completed in the 1970s and we are upgrading this road for more convenient transport. We keep telling our friends in India that the BRI and CPEC are not about territorial claims and will not affect China’s position on the Kashmir issue,” Yao said.

How does China plan to alleviate the concerns?

If CPEC is being built through the disputed territory, it implies that China has allied with Pakistan against India. Hence, India would have every reason to partner with US, Japan & Australia to oppose unilateral Chinese actions in South China sea.

If China drops CPEC plan then it implies that China has allied with India against Pakistan. Hence Pakistan has every reason to partner with US to oppose China & India in Central Asia and South Asia.

 

[Menthol]

I wonder, Is India position so important to OBOR?

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

I wonder, Is India position so important to OBOR?

No, we can already access warm waters through Pakistan and Myanmar, and India has no land borders with Central Asia to begin with.

China is just making it clear that everyone is invited, and that it is India who is choosing to reject further economic integration with the rest of the region.