RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2761
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2019
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AGAINST BRI
2761. SHRI KANAKAMEDALA RAVINDRA KUMAR:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has taken any steps to mobilize international support to oppose the China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government has taken steps to make international community realise that the project is not a mutually beneficial project to Pakistan and China but only benefit China;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) to (e) Government’s position on China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) or ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) has been clear and consistent.
Government’s concerns arise in part from the fact that the inclusion of the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ (CPEC) as a flagship project of ‘OBOR/BRI’, directly impinges on the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. This so-called
‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ (CPEC) passes through parts of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh which are under illegal occupation of Pakistan. Government has conveyed its concerns to the Chinese side about their activities in areas illegally
occupied by Pakistan in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and has asked them to cease such activities.
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.
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 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 practices, while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the rule of law, and the environment.
The European Commission issued a report in March 2019 titled ‘EU-China- A Strategic Outlook’ in which it has been highlighted that Chinese investments in third countries frequently neglect socioeconomic and financial sustainability and may result in high-level
indebtedness and transfer of control over strategic assets and resources.
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