A day after India went public with its opposition to the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Islamabad dismissed its archrival’s concerns on the multibillion-dollar project as ‘surprising’ and ‘frustrating’.
India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Beijing that the CPEC is ‘unacceptable’ as it passes through the disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian officialdom fears the project that connects Gwadar port with China’s Xinjiang region could be used for military purposes.
Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s aide on foreign affairs and national security, said he was surprised by Sushma’s remarks. He clarified the project was meant for regional connectivity, economic development and prosperity of the people of the entire region.
“There is a dichotomy in Indian statements on their pronouncements on the importance of regional connectivity for development and their negative comments about the CPEC,” Aziz said in a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Tuesday.
He also took exception to the India foreign minister’s statement on China-Pakistan relations and cautioned New Delhi to refrain from commenting on bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. “It should be clear that Pakistan and China enjoy exemplary relations. Pakistan maintains a policy of non-interference in other countries’ bilateral relations and expects from others to refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s bilateral relations with other countries,” he said.
As the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry has said the CPEC is a major cooperation framework between the two countries and is not against any third party, Aziz added.
Reaction to other issues raised by India
The foreign office statement also addressed several other issues raised by India including prospects of peace talks and the trial of Mumbai attacks suspects.
Aziz said Premier Nawaz’s envisions improved relations with all neighbouring countries, including India. “It was in this spirit that the prime minister had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on May 26, 2014. The primary objective of this vision is economic development of the region.”
Aziz said Pakistan believes all outstanding disputes, particularly the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, should be resolved through dialogue. Pakistan has conveyed to India that it remains committed to dialogue, provided India is ready, he added.
“Pakistan believes in a sustained, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue. Pakistan also believes the people of Jammu and Kashmir are an important stakeholder in the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute since they have yet to exercise their right to self-determination as enshrined in numerous UN resolutions,” he said.
Referring to Indian prime minister’s statement urging Pakistan to create an atmosphere of harmony, free of terror and violence, Aziz said peace was a multi-dimensional process.
It is ‘ironic’ that India insists on creating an environment free of violence while it keeps violating ceasefire at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary as well as indulges in ‘worst human rights violations against helpless Kashmiris’, he added.
In this context, Aziz referred to the recent articulation of Indian policy by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, which, Aziz said, confirmed Pakistan’s apprehensions regarding India’s involvement in stoking terrorism in Pakistan. Parrikar on May 21 said India should neutralise terrorist through terrorist.
As regards the trial of Mumbai attacks suspects, Aziz said it was proceeding in the court of law. “Indian concern over slow progress calls into question its own reluctance to cooperate by not allowing a judicial commission’s visit to India until September 2013,” he said.
Aziz also raised Pakistan’s concerns over the little progress to share details of investigations into the 2006 Samjhauta terrorist incident in which many Pakistanis were killed.
Dar’s reaction to Indian statement
Another senior minister in Premier Nawaz’s cabinet described India’s position on the CPEC as violation of international economic cooperation norms.
“It was frustrating to see a third country objecting to bilateral economic cooperation between China and Pakistan as it is in violation of all established norms of international economic relations,” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said after a meeting Dr Baige Zhao, the co-chairperson of RDI, a joint Pak-China think tank on the CPEC.
“War phobia can only be defeated through economic development. Peace and prosperity can be achieved with economic advancement,” he said, while dismissing Indian contention that the economic corridor route was controversial, according to a handout issued by the finance ministry.
He also categorically rejected Indian leadership’s seven neighbours theory, describing it as fallacious. “The CPEC will be beneficial not only for China and Pakistan but also for the people of the whole region,” he said.
Nisar on India’s outburst
India’s outburst on the CPEC has exposed its real face before the international community, a press statement quoted Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar as saying. “This is clear proof that the Indian leadership is not happy to see Pakistan prosper.”
The recent statement of intent by the Indian premier clearly shows India’s intentions not only to destabilise and hegemonise Pakistan, but also to use any means at its disposal to ensure that Pakistan remains an underdeveloped country, he added. “Let his statement be an eye-opener for all the world powers that don’t tire of praising India’s democratic credentials.”
Nisar advised the Indian leadership against mistaking Pakistan’s quest for peace as weakness. “Pakistan’s people and political and military leadership are united to fight, frustrate and defeat all plots of terrorism, wherever they may originate.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2015.
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