67
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has asked India to benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, instead of criticising it.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, he advised New Delhi to review its short-sighted approach towards the project. He said the “CPEC is purely an economic development project that would bring prosperity. India should get benefit from the project rather than pursuing unnecessary criticism”.
Mr Iqbal said India’s reaction to the CPEC was not positive and sooner or later it would realise that the project would benefit the entire region. “The CPEC would bring prosperity to the region, including China and Pakistan,” he added.
Stressing the need for strengthening cooperation in the region, the minister said the resolution of the issues didn’t lie in tensions and disputes among regional countries. He said India held the key to peace in South Asia and that country could not progress without cooperation.
He said the future of Asian countries depended on promotion of trade and commerce and connectivity through transport corridors.
“Transport corridors help connect the countries and play a pivotal role in economic integration, trade development and regional connectivity across the globe,” he added.
The minister said Pakistan was also making progress on other corridors in order to enhance its connectivity through the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooper–ation. The regional cooperation was opening new opportunities for growth and progress, he said.
The minister said South Asia was the least integrated region in the world and that is why regional countries, including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, were ranked among least developed countries in terms of social indicators. He stressed the need for developing more markets to create demand for growth and said it was only possible through enhanced cooperation and connectivity among regions as well as with other markets of the world.
“The CPEC is not only an economic integration project of the region, but it would also open ways for market access to Central Asian states and through Central Asia to other parts of the world,” he said.
Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2018
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (67) Closed
Mar 23, 2018 09:45am
Its not short sighted but correct sighted. You have not understood Chinese yet.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 10:32am
Why India is being dragged into CPEC, who has nothing to do. It's a complete Chinese project for their interest.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 10:32am
it means u have still not understood that u are falling into chinese trap.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:05am
CEPC is going through Indian territory without India's consent and you expect India to forget the fact and join CEPC?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:06am
India do not need CPEC. India already doing business worth over 100 billion with China. Pakistan may not even can not do fraction of that amount after CPEC.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:22am
Why is both Pakistan and China always requesting, prodding and virtually begging India to join CPEC ?.India will never ever CPEC.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:25am
when China Invited India for the Beijing meeting India in reply said India wants to be part of OBOR but our point of view should be respected, but china refused
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:28am
@mkb
What obsession. CPEC is not about trade with a single country.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:47am
India has nothing against CPEC as long as it does not pass through territory that India claims as its own.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:49am
@CPECistan yes, Bharat will never ever join CPEC.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:57am
CPEC/BRI is a Chinese ploy to expand its own economic control of weaker countries by plunging those countries into insurmountable debt traps.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 12:41pm
cpec without INDIA is a loss making project for both China and Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 12:41pm
Even if your forget territorial dispute, what will India gain from CPEC? We already have long border with China and far easier and shorter routes for doing business with them, so why should be prefer a longer route?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 01:01pm
Mr. Minister, India-Pakistan does not need CPEC to trade with each other. We already have Wagah border for that.
Real story is, China is pressing Pakistan to bring India onboard CPEC somehow as without India CPEC is far too expensive to be a success.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 01:11pm
CPEC will be beneficial to Pakistan only if India, Afghanistan and Iran join in because there will be trade between these countries. Pakistan's benefits from CPEC becomes null especially if India and Afghanistan keep away from it.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 01:21pm
Mr. Iqbal is asking India because China is pushing Pakistan to get India involved in CPEC.
Reality is China is looking for a large market. Indian market is bigger than the market of all OBOR combines and theta's where Chinese and other OBOR goods need to go. Additionally, cheap Chinese goods in market will hold back Indian entrepreneurs from local manufacturing because of cost competitiveness issues.
Time will tell which block is smarter.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 01:34pm
It is hilarious to expect other to join when Pakistan it self not benefited anything from this corridor till now. How much export has increased to China after CPEC road corridor started ?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 01:47pm
You can only REQUEST ...and not ASK ...
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 02:00pm
Excellent advice. Nevertheless, in the corridors of power in New Delhi led by racist Modi and his biased, bigot and crooked cronies, who cares?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 02:18pm
CPEC is a White Elephant which will eventually destroy pakistans economy
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 02:41pm
Pakistan's Minister for Planning and Development concerned for India's benefit ? . Highly unlikely.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 03:00pm
Talking about the benefit of CPEC, can you please tell us what is the cost of CPEC, recurring cost and how the benefit will accrue to countries other than China.
Do Pakistani people know the above?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 03:07pm
Why India needs CPEC when its trade with China is $85 Billion.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 03:15pm
By setting aside all difference both countries should join hands for the betterment of people of both the countries which they are presently deprived of.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 03:22pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad not interested in CPEC because we have our own $100Bn projects.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 03:47pm
At first place, CPEC has not been beneficial to Pakistan.. How much export has increased to China after CPEC road corridor started? And you are talking about India.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 04:23pm
Wasn't CPEC the game changer meant for China and Pakistan only?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 04:24pm
Indians are smart when it comes to business and investment, they are the best judge to take the call.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 04:36pm
Modi must read today's report of World Bank and Asia Bank appearing in Dawn.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 04:37pm
First they say India is jealous of CPEC, now they want it to be a part of CPEC. Decide first which one is it?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 06:00pm
Does anyone know what Pakistan has gained economically so far from CPEC? If it hasn't gained anything why it is advocating it to others?
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 06:33pm
Really ?? The Hambantotta Project is Sri Lanka is a classic example of a Chinese project to help the Sri Lankan Economy .... Use google to understand how it unfolded ...
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 06:33pm
I think the problem here is that too many concessions have been given to the chinese which means hardly any revenue through the movement of chinese goods. Hence the hope that India will be the cash cow. Thanks but no thanks.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 06:52pm
Joining the CPEC doesn't make any economic or strategic sense for India. India has plenty of its own ports on the Indian ocean and it has developed alternate routes to reach Afghanistan & Central Asia via Chabahar and to reach Middle East via its newly aquired port in Oman.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 07:00pm
Joke!
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 07:21pm
The Indians know very well what they are up to and they are not going to let you build the CPEC without creating hurdles in your path. Your urges to them for joining to benefit from the same are all one sided and they are not interested in the same. If you could carry on with the task of getting the CPEC routes completed within the time limit initially agreed upon without urging India to join in, it may be the best possible way of getting the work done.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 07:37pm
China knows that CPEC is a big failure without India joining it. But India already has access to Central Asia through Iran.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 07:47pm
India must mind its on business, live and let its neighbours live peacefully. They must use its energies to build its bathrooms for its masses.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 07:49pm
The whole of CPEC is situated in Pakistan and is 'paid' for by China. No one, that includes most Pakistanis, knows the actual details of financing of this. What is the interest rate that is being charged by China, who is building any of the projects except the Chinese companies. So many questions and so few answers.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 07:57pm
I am a supporter of Modi and BJP economic policies. However I feel that India is unnecessarily mistrusting the Chinese intention. India should negotiate our interests well, but then do join the trade corridor keeping our interests in mind.
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 08:00pm
Pakistan and China waking up to the fact that without INDIA CPEC will fail
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 08:47pm
Short or far sighted, disaster is a disaster!
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 09:04pm
I would rather say that Pakistan is blind folded. I know you are helpless with dwindling economy and corruption but certainly cannot ask someone to join the party if you even don't know how to get out it
Recommend
0
Mar 23, 2018 11:59pm
no hatred to china.our subcontinent can benefit from pakistan initiative
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 12:19am
So, this guy called a press conference to shame India in to joining the CPEC? pretty smart.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 12:45am
@Mohit Pricy Chinese loans, all countries must stay away from those.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 12:50am
India have several ports well connected by roads on west side. I don't see any benefit by joining to this project. We have long border with china to do business. no need to use CPEC. If China agrees to India's terms and pay proper taxes, we can provide access to our sea roots to even Chinese buisiness.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 01:17am
First this has to be established if it can bring prosperity to pakistan, then on would see if the region can benefit ftom cpec.
But all analysis points to the fact that Chinese are cheating and looting pak, by overpricing and delays.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 01:44am
Good warning. India sure to lose opportunity of development.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 01:58am
China is finished.
Nobody on earth can save China from economic ruin.
Europe, America, Asia and Africa will start boycotting Cheap Chinese goods and that will set tinpot dictator on blaze.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 02:59am
The Chinese will never do anything for anybody unless they have larger benefits at stake
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 03:16am
India should not be allowed to benefit form it.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 03:56am
CPEC is a highly confusing project. Has the project started or is it likely to start soon? If it has started has it started generating enough revenues? If yes why allow an enemy country to benefit? If not why your neighbour should listen to your advise? All along it was being said that India is totally opposed to the project. Then why this sudden U turn?
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 05:19am
We wish well for Pakistan and her prosperity. India is happy to see a prosperous Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 05:32am
Someone has to define what is meant by joining the CPEC.. Is it like investing in Pakistan or using CPEC Roads? what is it? Why do we expect other countries use these roads unless it is convenient to them. If these countries are investing in the zones are Indians are allowed invest in Pakistan?
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 06:20am
Indian opposition is now costing very dearly to Pakistan as China too now reluctant to continue further. India has managed the alternative route for Central Asia connect with the help of Russia, Afghanistan & Iran. India is replacing Pakistan & China with its trade of goods in the neighborhood as well as South Asia. India's strong economic relations with UAE, KSA, Qatar, African countries with the help of West, Japan, Australia & US is pushing China to rethink on CPEC
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 07:21am
India is smart enough to know what it good for it's economy on a mutual beneficial basis.We are not here to serve any body's interest
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 08:01am
What exactly is 'joining' CPEC? Sharing the burden of Chinese loan? If Pakistan allows, Indian businesses may consider using the toll road in CPEC.
I am hopeful that CPEC becomes the game changer and positively impacts the region. However, India should stay miles away from it. As long as Indian territory is not used.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 08:45am
CPEC is a death trap for Pakistan, I;m sorry to say this but its a bitter truth. Wait till repayment of loan starts.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 12:05pm
Chabahar also opens the route to landlocked nations like Afghanistan and opens a corridor to Central Asia. I think Pakistan should join Chabahar and India should join OBOR.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 04:07pm
India should sign-up, The point is it will not only help benefit Indian economy but help both countries to get closer to each other. Regional peace can only be achieved by these petty initiatives.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 07:24pm
if joinining cpec means allowing unlimited easy imports of cheap chinese goods then no benefit for India to join. What does it mean to join cpec ??
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 08:03pm
At first Pakistan should first allow India and Afganistan to trade through its roads. After blocking India-Afgan trade , asking India to join CPEC is not correct
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 11:03pm
Rightly said.... If India does not want to join the CPEC, it is their prerogative. But, they wrongly defined so many territories as their own. That is why they have disputes with all of their neighbors.
Recommend
0
Mar 24, 2018 11:44pm
So basically looks like both Pakistan and China have realised without India this CPEC will be of no use.
Recommend
0
Mar 25, 2018 02:40am
@Johnson We are still trying to get out another more lethal trap, bro.
Recommend
0
Mar 25, 2018 07:25pm
the Chinese have been stealing for a veryyy loonnggg time..ask the west about over a trillion dollars over 10 years.
Recommend
0
