PM Shehbaz urges India not to create hurdles in CPEC

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif urged India on Wednesday to take advantage of the benefits of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) instead of creating hurdles in its way. The premier made the remark as he felicitated Pakistan and China for having successfully completed 10 years of CPEC – which PM Shehbaz said would also prove beneficial for neighbouring Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and the entire region. A day earlier, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) sought to forge closer ties and boost cooperation within the expanding Eurasian bloc, where all members, barring India, also supported China's vast Belt Road Initiative (BRI) scheme which envisions rebuilding the old Silk Road to connect China with Asia, Europe and beyond with large infrastructure spending. India, which holds the presidencies of the SCO and G20 this year, has walked a diplomatic tightrope as relations between Western nations and a Russia-China partnership have been fraught due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year, and Beijing's growing assertive presence in global geopolitics. India's own ties with China have nosedived since a military clash on their disputed Himalayan border in 2020. Speaking earlier as he opened the summit, Modi had urged SCO members to jointly fight terrorism and tackle global challenges such as food, fuel and fertiliser shortages. Read Islamabad protests Biden-Modi statement While PM Shehbaz in his address had joined Modi in his denunciation of terrorism, he urged all SCO member states to condemn all forms of terrorism, including state terrorism, “unambiguously” and avoid “diplomatic point-scoring” on this issue. Shehbaz had cautioned against the dangers of violent ultra-nationalism and demonisation of religious minorities in pursuit of domestic political agendas. He had also called for joint action by the member states to address the common challenges of economic recession, terrorism, and climate change, stressing that regional organisations could play the role of “beacon of peace, stability, and progress”. BRI stands for ‘development for all' In a message of congratulations, the PM congratulated the leadership of Pakistan and China and the people of the two countries saying that Pakistan and China are iron brothers, and CPEC is a new chapter in this time-tested and evergreen strategic cooperative partnership. The PM said that CPEC was also a manifestation of the vision of "development for all of China's great leader Xi Jinping and our Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif". He said the BRI is also a manifestation of President Xi Jinping's philosophy of peace, friendship, economic partnership and coexistence. He said CPEC is also President Xi Jinping's gift to the people of Pakistan. The PM regretted that CPEC was obstructed for four years, and" baseless allegations were levelled against our great friend China". He said the enemies of CPEC are enemies of development, peace and prosperity in Pakistan and the region, and they do not want our people to get rid of poverty. He said we are accelerating the pace of CPEC, which is a game-changer project to eradicate poverty, unemployment and economic slump. The premier invited India to take advantage of the benefits of CPEC instead of creating hurdles in its way. Read more China, Pakistan, Iran hold first-ever anti-terror talks He said it is not just a project with objectives of improvement in road, rail, port and air routes, but also a great plan for health, education, skill development and partnership in the development process. "CPEC is a beautiful plan of connectivity of not only the regions but also the hearts of people. It is a game-changer project of economic regionalisation in the current era of globalisation," he said. Shehbaz maintained that CPEC is also a journey for lifting up the living standard of the people of Pakistan and providing them with an environment of peace after bringing them out of poverty. He said CPEC is a tool for cementing bilateral relations between Pakistan and China and the beginning of a new era of mutual partnership. It also includes projects ranging from water supply to education, technical training and skill development. Shehbaz said the construction of nine Special Economic Zones across the country under CPEC will facilitate technology transfer, and industrial collaboration and increase local production. He said the inclusion of capacity building of the National Disaster Management Authority and proactive measures for the prevention of natural calamities are also part of the CPEC. It also includes joint ventures for agricultural development that will also ensure food security in the country.