The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project aims to create an industrial corridor from Kashgar (China) to Gwadar (Balochistan, Pakistan) to connect both places with high-speed railway links and roadways and build a port at Gwadar. Initially, the provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were to have benefited. The route was later amended, and as of today, the corridor passes through the territories of POK, Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan.

About CPEC

The CPEC, which began operations in 2015, is the centrepiece of China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at increasing Beijing’s global influence through China-funded infrastructure projects.

There are specific concerns as far as India is concerned. Pakistan, too would do good to tackle them as the issues affect both nations. 

• Most importantly, the project passes through the disputed territories of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK)
• The northernmost rail-connected point of Pakistan is at a place named Attlee. The CPEC hopes to extend this connection by almost 600 km to the Khunjerab pass located on the Sino-Pak border. Pakistan does not seem to realise that this link passes through some-earthquake prone high Himalayan mountain ranges 

The motives behind the China Pakistan Economic Corridor

• China hopes to use Gwadar and other infrastructural facilities to cut its dependence on the Strait of Malacca. Oil from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Chinese ports need to traverse a nearly 4,500-km distance. The route is prone to attacks from pirates, and the presence of certain adversaries adds to the risk. The CPEC ensures that the dangers are circumvented, and China is assured of oil supply throughout the year. CPEC also hopes to develop the restive provinces of Northwest China
• Pakistan’s power situation is also said to improve with the up-gradation of the Karachi Nuclear power plant project (KANUPP) and the installation of the Chashma 3 and 4 nuclear reactors in Punjab

The One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative 

Currently, called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the OBOR is China’s ambitious master plan to invest in infrastructure projects in 70 countries and have a greater role in global affairs. The four primary components of the BRI run through India’s South Asian neighbourhood: the CPEC, the Trans-Himalayan Economic Corridor, the BCIM Economic Corridor, and the Maritime Silk Road. India declined to join, continuing its opposition to China’s investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC, which passes through the contested territories of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 

The project is divided into two sections.

The Silk Road Economic Belt: The road will connect China with Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe and it’s sea based route.The Silk Road of the Twenty-First Century is a sea-based route that will connect China’s southern coast to the Mediterranean, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.21st Century Maritime Silk Road: The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road aims to connect Mediterranean countries, African countries, Southeast Asian Countries, and Central Asian countries to China’s southern coast.This particular project can tremendously help boost trade amongst the Asian and European countries. 

Some of its advantages to India are

• It will aid the development of infrastructure in India’s border and outlying areas, which are currently remote
• Funds from financial institutions may be more readily available, as well as assistance from China and its infrastructure construction companies
• This project will improve India’s connectivity with its neighbours, resulting in better economic, diplomatic, and strategic relations

Apart from the above advantages, however, the chief concern is that the project runs across the PoK disputed territory.

India’s disagreements with the OBOR-CPEC

• India does not support the OBOR. India sees China’s insistence on establishing the CPEC project through PoK as a violation of its sovereignty
• China is constructing roads and infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan, a disputed territory controlled by Pakistan but claimed by India as part of Jammu and Kashmir
• If the CPEC project is successfully implemented, it will jeopardise India’s strategic interests in the South Asian region. It will help Beijing achieve its strategic goal of encircling India

The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is an economic cooperation agreement between India and Japan that can provide India with significant strategic benefits and help counter Chinese projects.

Conclusion 

With China preparing to build a permanent military base in Pakistan for the CPEC, India can anticipate further Chinese involvement in this area. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is actually the flagship activity of The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 with an aim to boost connectivity and cooperation among Eurasian countries. CPEC aims at a significant improvement in the Pakistan trade sector and broader socio-economic sphere.