On the one hand India has expressed concern over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project being built in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir saying it violates the country’s sovereignty, China on the other has offered India an invitation to join the $46 billion economic project. The change in stand and stance comes it looks because of the changing geo-political scenario in the continent. When it come to economics and economy Chinese would like to court even the opposition, here it is India, as it knows co-existence is the best remedy to safe guard its economic interests rather than getting into confrontation thus jeopardising the opportunity. China has taken a stand by saying, “It is an open proposal and we are willing to work with Pakistan to discuss the participation of any third country under principle of wider consultation and joint contribution.” Seen in its sincerity the proposal is a good one to counter all the remedies like distrust and terrorism in the region as the economic development would surely usher in the much wanted change. India’s concerns over CEPC being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is one of the three major issues bedeviling the relations between the two countries besides China blocking India’s admission to Nuclear Suppliers Group, (NSG) and UN ban on JeM leader Masood Azhar. The two countries have been holding talks on these issues and Pak’s comments were seen by officials here as an attempt to gauge India’s reaction. The project also passes through the restive Balochistan province in Pakistan. The Baloch people have been fighting for a sovereign homeland and have been accusing Islamabad of occupying their territory. Popular public rebellions against the ‘Pakistani occupation’ in the recent past were brutally crushed by the government, forcing many of their leaders to live in exile, including India and other countries. The venture has evoked a lot of reaction in India with some security analysts accusing China of encircling India to flex its geopolitical muscle in the region.
