India hits out at CPEC's expansion, calls Afghanistan's inclusion ‘unacceptable'
India had also protested against the inclusion of portions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh—illegally occupied by Pakistan—in the CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure projects, he added.
New Delhi: India had conveyed its strong opposition to the inclusion of a third country, Afghanistan, in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project to both Islamabad and Beijing, calling the move 'unacceptable', Minister of State for External Affairs of India Kirti Vardhan Singh Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha.
The MoS added: 'Any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable. Government has consistently conveyed this position to relevant parties.'
On 21 May 2025, the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan—Wang Yi, Ishaq Dar, and Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, respectively—met in Beijing as a part of a trilateral mechanism. At the meeting, they decided on expanding the CPEC to Afghanistan to 'strengthen the building of regional connectivity networks', a Chinese readout, at the time, said.
CPEC has long been an issue for New Delhi, considering that the multi-billion-dollar project violates India's sovereignty in the creation of transportation networks through the illegally occupied portions of Ladakh and J&K.
India has refused to join the BRI, Chinese President Xi Jinping's trillion-dollar initiative for building transportation infrastructure across countries. BRI, which remains India's primary issue, includes CPEC.
India's other concern with BRI is the potential unviability of the projects creating a debt trap, as witnessed in the case of Sri Lanka, among other countries.
A key BRI thrust is the CPEC, the connectivity project that will link Pakistan's Gwadar port and the Chinese province of Xinjiang. It will reduce Beijing's reliance on the Straits of Malacca, allowing it to meet its transportation needs for key energy requirements.
India has recently promised to step up its developmental assistance to the Taliban, given that both Islamabad and Beijing have moved forward in engaging with the regime in control of Kabul. In May, Foreign Minister Jaishankar held a conversation with his counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, via telephone, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor.
The talks marked the first ministerial-level contact between New Delhi and the Taliban.
Last year, China recognised the Taliban's envoy to Beijing—the first country to do so. Since the return of the Taliban in Kabul nearly four years ago, the regime has had little international recognition. China, along with Russia and Pakistan, are among the countries that have moved forward with the normalisation of ties with Afghanistan's Taliban regime.
(Eited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also Read: China-Pakistan ties under stress. CPEC security concerns frustrating Chinese, hurting Pakistanis
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Hong Kong issues arrest warrants for 19 overseas activists accused of ‘subversion'; US reacts
The United States has criticised Hong Kong authorities for issuing arrest warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists based overseas. The move marks the largest number of such warrants issued under the city's national security law. The activists are accused of subversion for their involvement in an unofficial group known as the 'Hong Kong Parliament'. Hong Kong police allege that the group aimed to challenge the authority of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Several of the individuals are already subject to earlier warrants, and police say further action may follow. The 19 individuals are accused of being involved in the 'Hong Kong Parliament', an unofficial pro-democracy group that authorities claim sought to subvert state power. The group is said to have organised a mock election and promoted the idea of self-determination for Hong Kong, including plans to draft a new constitution. The Hong Kong police allege that these activities were attempts to unlawfully overthrow the government. The charges fall under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 following large-scale protests in 2019. Police said anyone supporting, funding or participating in the group could also face legal consequences. Among those named are businessman Elmer Yuen, political commentator Victor Ho, and activists Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. These four were already subject to previous arrest warrants, each carrying a reward of HK$1 million (approximately £95,000). The other 15 individuals are also facing new warrants, with authorities offering HK$200,000 (£19,000) for information leading to their arrests. Some of them were reportedly involved in organising or running in the unofficial election, or taking oaths as councillors of the unofficial 'parliament'. One of those listed, Feng Chongyi, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney, dismissed the allegations. 'They've got the power, they've got the influence want to control everything even overseas,' he told The Guardian. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Reuters: 'We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government's attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on US soil.' He also said the move showed how the Hong Kong government 'continues to erode the autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the people of Hong Kong following the 1997 handover'. The UK's Foreign and Home Secretaries issued a joint statement, quoted in The Guardian, calling the warrants 'another example of transnational repression' and saying they damaged Hong Kong's international standing. 'The UK will not tolerate attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas,' they said. Australia strongly objects to Hong Kong authorities issuing arrest warrants for pro-democracy advocates in Australia. Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy. — Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 26, 2025 Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong also objected, writing on X that 'freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy'. She added: 'We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, and we will continue to do so.' In response to the criticism, China's embassy in the UK said the British government was interfering in internal affairs. 'China urges the UK to abandon its colonial mentality, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and stop shielding criminals,' it said in a statement quoted by The Guardian. Hong Kong police reminded the public that national security offences carry extraterritorial effect. In a statement, they said those who turn themselves in or help investigations may be considered for reduced punishment. (With inputs from The Guardian and Reuters)
India.com
26 minutes ago
- India.com
India's friend has changed war strategy against China, the name is..., will include missile, advance fighter jets and...
Chinese President Xi Jinping Defence of Japan 2025 white paper update: In a significant development impacting the security situation in the Indian Ocean, Japan, known as the country of samurais has published its Defence of Japan 2025 white paper. Discussing about the details escalating threats from a more united bloc of authoritarian countries, specifically China, Russia, and North Korea, the white paper has been sanctioned by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet. Here are all the details you need to know about Japan's recent step against China. What does Defence of Japan 2025 white paper say on China? Cautioning about a swiftly deteriorating security landscape in the region caused by increasing military collaboration among these nations, the Defence of Japan 2025 white paper delivers a straightforward evaluation of China, labelling it as the 'greatest strategic challenge' facing Japan. In addition to this, the official white paper of Japan emphasises that China's military aspirations present an 'unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge' to both Japan and the global community. As per a report by the Eurasian Times, the document warns that China's expanding military presence, assertive maritime actions, and strengthening connections with other authoritarian governments could 'seriously impact' Japan's national security. This white paper scrutinises CRINK, a loosely connected bloc that some observers refer to as the 'Axis of Upheaval.' Although not a formal alliance, the rising diplomatic, military, and economic collaboration among these four nations is perceived as a significant threat to the rules-based international order, according to the Eurasian Times. What has Japan's Defence Minister said on China? Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani expressed strong concerns: 'The current international order is being profoundly challenged, and Japan is in the most challenging and intricate security situation of the post-war period.' Notably, Japan has delivered its most severe warning to date regarding China's growing military footprint, stating in the white paper that activities from Beijing now pose a 'serious impact' on national security. (With inputs from agencies)
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
On Vijay Diwas, Army chief invokes Operation Sindoor – ‘Organised, accurate and decisive to Pahalgam attack'
It was because of the trust of the people and 'the strategic independence' extended by the government that the Indian Army gave Pakistan an 'organised, accurate and decisive' answer after the Pahalgam attack, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said Saturday. The army chief was speaking at Drass on the 26th anniversary of Vijay Diwas to mark India's victory against Pakistan in the Kargil war of 1999. In his speech, General Dwivedi also spoke about Operation Sindoor. 'India proved (in 1999) that no ill intentions will find success within India's borders. No harm will be allowed against India's unity and integrity. In continuation of that tradition, the Indian Army displayed the same courage and determination during Operation Sindoor in targeting terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and achieved a decisive victory by effectively thwarting Pakistan's aggressive tactics,' he said. India gave peace a chance but the neighbouring country displayed 'cowardice' and Operation Sindoor 'was our resolve, message and response' to that, he said. He went on to say that the Pahalgam attack, in which 25 tourists and a local were killed by terrorists, left a 'deep wound' on the nation but that this time, India did not just mourn their loss but resolved that the response would be decisive. On the night of May 6 and 7, India attacked nine high value targets in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, 'without harming any innocent citizens', he said. 'Operation Sindoor was not just a response but a clear message that those supporting terror will not survive,' he said. Defining India's 'new normal', he said that 'any forces planning to attack India's integrity and sovereignty will be given a befitting reply in the future as well.' With a view to making the Indian Army a 'future oriented' force, he also announced the constitution of a new 'Rudra Bridgade' of the Indian Army that will include infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial systems together to provide logistic and combat support to the forces. He also said that a special forces unit called Bhairav has also been constituted. 'We are fully prepared to realise India's Visit Bharat dream by the 100th anniversary of the country's independence,' he said.
