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A friend comes calling

Apr 23, 2015 02:04 AM | 42 comments

President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan needs to be seen as a game changer. With studied
deliberation and precision, the Chinese have utilised the presidential visit to alter the facts
on the ground. At the heart of Mr. Xis trip was the formal inauguration of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The ambitious project, with implications far beyond
the economic, would absorb investments up to $45 billion over the next 15 years. It would
establish transportation and energy infrastructure and do the groundwork for a number of
industrial parks and smart cities, fuelling Chinese hopes if terrorism en route can be
contained of turning Pakistan into a new tiger economy in Asia. By committing to pour
billions of dollars into infrastructure development over the years, China appears to have
stolen a march over the U.S. and emerged as Pakistans unrivalled external partner. Chinas
golden run in Pakistan implies a significant mutation of the regional balance of power in
South Asia and Afghanistan. Through the corridor from Kashgar, in Chinas restive Xinjiang
province, to Gwadar, Beijing will find a point of access in the Indian Ocean at the virtual trijunction of South Asia, West Asia and Africa.
The development of the CPEC is not necessarily bad for India or the region. On the contrary,
Pakistans young people who find meaningful work in the projects are unlikely to enter the
jihad factories. India should also welcome the impending joint initiative by China and
Pakistan to curtail terror groups along the corridor and in Afghanistan, provided the two
countries are able to steer clear of an exclusionary agenda, limiting Indias legitimate
interests in Kabul. In any case, it is imperative that Afghanistan is revisited in the New
Delhi-Beijing strategic dialogue following President Xis visit. So should be the proposed
export of eight Chinese submarines to Pakistan. Indian security planners may not be
unduly perturbed by the sale, but any attempt by Pakistan to convert the submarines that
can be done only with Chinese help as platforms for a nuclear second-strike capability
must be recorded as a red line. President Xis visit signals the emergence of new
geopolitical realities, calling for India adjusting itself to an emerging multipolar world. As
Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to China next month, he thus faces a rapidly evolving
geopolitical landscape in South Asia and Afghanistan. India has not done too badly in
partnering China in the evolving global financial architecture, underscored by the Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS-led New Development Bank, and the pursuit of
membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Indias interests may be wellserved if it dons the role of a cooperative balancing force by pursuing independent
engagement with the U.S., Japan and ASEAN, even as it deepens ties with Beijing, based on
maturity, realism and mutual benefit.

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Comments (42)
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Vivek Gopalakrishnan
One cant help but juxtapose the proposed China Pakistan Economic corridor with
the Mumbai-Delhi Industrial corridor. (MDIC) It would have been a win-win
situation for India and China if the plan was realized by extending the MDIC to the
Kandla Port in Gujarat to J&K or Tibet in the north. The idea might sound quixotic,
but pulling off such ideas brings us closer in realizing the Chindian Century. It is
time strategists from both sides see the long term geopolitical and economic

time strategists from both sides see the long term geopolitical and economic
implications of such a partnership. India gains by increased trade and development
while containing the influence of Pakistan while China can deal with India as a
trusted economic partner and build the route more economically while protecting
its trade interests. There is nothing like that when the dragon and the elephant
shake hands!
3 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Sunil
China Pak tie up would not harm india but would certainly have a impact on not
only India but also some friends of world economy. Facts countered terrorism in
pak can never be stopped as because indirectly its a right of Pakistani citizens to
have education at jihadi schools and the military and political powers are
promoting it. Last years, incident reminds that terrorism is not about attacking
other states but attacking other innocents. China objective to have relation with
Pak & Sri lanka is very clear that to grow as a power source in south-east asia and
drive the economy. Whereas Silk-route and ocean highways are the primary step
towards it.
3 days ago

(0)

Points

120

(0) reply (0)

Tirtha
India should support the initiative of china for the development of Pakistan. The
development will lead to employment and flow of money. The youth of Pakistan
will focus on development raather than terrorist activities.
4 days ago

(0)

Points

130

(0) reply (0)

Chandra Prakash
The hidden agenda behind this collaboration is lucid that China wants to make its
impact in Indian ocean and nothing else. Otherwise why a country with fostering
economy will made a huge investment in such a terrorist wrapped nation where a
huge amount of its budget is expended in proxy war against India.Even majority of
its citizens are living in extreme poverty but they are burgeoning their nuclear
weapons .Let them do their job and we do ours.China should know we Indians are
not of 1960 and we are too strong to pull us back from such circumstances.vande
matram
4 days ago

(0)

Points

130

(0) reply (0)

Bala Srinivasan
It is a balanced unbiased article.india is approaching these developments with a
pragmatic self interest which is also a sign of maturity.Wealth creation in nation
building solves many major national issues.As long as CHINA is not into stirring
trouble in the region it should be ok.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

R.Sundararaman Ramanathan
In spite of our opening gates for all Chinese goods and the balance of trade always
in their favour, they do not acknowledge our friend ship and by all means we are

Points

3055

in their favour, they do not acknowledge our friend ship and by all means we are
considered as rival by every count.WE should limit our expectations and reliance
on their word as well as their deed.Our aim should be self reliant and be prepared
for eventualities as in the case of 1962.It is always better to have reservations and
should not take chances.We can afford to costly products and technologies than
Chinese things.We have to enlist our allies and strengthen ties and demand early
settlement with Chinese dispute .
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Devanshi
If this partnership between China and Pakistan success, India will benefit, as long
as we keep our house in order and continue to improve our economic
performance. This will provide space and time to India for uninterrupted
development. At the end of 10 -15 ears India will not have to be nervous about
threats fro neighborhood. India need not worry about motives of others. Pakistan
will continue to have significant limitations.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Dinesh
Chinese foreign aid to Pakistan is unfortunate for neighbours. There is chance to
invest some part of this aid to strong the terrorists activities against India and
investment in defence mechanism of Pakistan shows the intention of china clearly.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Mayank Bhadauria
china india and pakistan the trio can be treated as the sides of an triangle all three
have their independent exostence in the global scenario but sum if any two should
not exceed the third one .this strategic leap of china's government can be seen as a
positive step because china is dearer to pakistan than USA or india and it asks pak
to control terrorism pak has to do it . the silver lining of this relationship is the
economic corridor which will be set up by both countries as asia needs something
out of the box solution of its economic problems and to tell the world that it is not
the continent of third world countries. thank you
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Aatish Sharma
China's economic partnerships with Pakistan ought to be welcomed by India, but it
is the strategic and defence partnership between the two that remains the bugbear
and continues to cast aspersions over China's duality when it comes to India. But,
yes given the strong government that we have got after a long while, it becomes
crucial that we engage with China on all outstanding issues and let economics take
centre stage in the evolving global scenario where India and China must realise
that their coming together will be mutually beneficial.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Seema
For once China's engagement with Pakistan does not ring a bell. Terrorism cannot
be completely wiped out of Pakistan in the first go, but the development of an

be completely wiped out of Pakistan in the first go, but the development of an
economic corridor between the two countries will certainly ease the intensity. This
is a relief and welcome news for India. Engaging the youth of the neighbourhood is
going to have a positive impact globally.
4 days ago

(1)

jagdish

Up Voted

Points

1200

(0) reply (0)

Sneh Chakraburtty at HAPPILY RETIRED

The Corridor being or to be built will be of benefit as employment for the new
generation of unemployed youth of Pakistan
4 days ago

(0)

Points

1105

(0) reply (0)

Harbajan Singh
india has to traverse through a balanced approach.
4 days ago

(1)

harbajan singh

Points

490

(0) reply (0)

Up Voted

Mantu Murmu
The initiative taken by China has many strategic reasons to fulfill its interests.
Firstly, it can have better negotiated Trade terms with beleaguered Pakistan.
Secondly, China would like to develop a Trade/Military dominance in the Asia
Pacific space. The point is whether China has introspected that their efforts will in
some way help Pakistan cut down terrorist activities in its soil, if it is in China's
interest, or does China has a hidden agenda to disrupt India's challenging
development. The Center has to take a call and initiate dialogue with China
considering all the aspects positive and negative.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Vida
This is just a strategic anti-India alliance between China and pakistan. China is fully
aware that Pakistan is a failed and dysfunctional state riddled with Islamic religious
terrorism and a feudal patriarchical society. No proper Human and women's rights
and a desperate law and order situation. However China persists with this strange
alliance to counter india's strategic power and economic clout. By investing billions
in Pakistan, China hopes for an upturn in fortunes, greater cooperation from
Pakistan in preventing Uighurs from having safe havens in pakistan for terror
training. But seriously China is 'flogging a dead horse'. Chinese workers and the
infrastructural work they complete will always be threatened by Islamic terror
groups who will always view China and all foreigners with suspicion.
4 days ago

(3)

(0) reply (0)

MUKUNDARAJAN AnandKumar Suvojit

Up Voted

Baron Benjamin
This fits in with Chinese "String-of-Pearls" policy of acquiring strategic assets, in this
case access to Gwadar port in Pakistan, to encircle India. The loud silence of the
Modi government to this development is surprising.The proposed

Points

32155

Modi government to this development is surprising.The proposed

rail/road/pipeline/power infrastructure will run through Pak occupied Kashmir that
legitimately belongs to India. India has not uttered a word of protest. China, at the
slightest excuse, protests loudly over Arunachal Pradesh. India needs to wake up &
act decisively & fast. India should proclaim a strategic alliance with
US/Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Vietnam/Phillipines, all whom desperately want
an active India (which, unlike China, has no claims on their land/maritime territory)
to counter China's malevolent and aggressive moves in the South China sea.
Through such strategic engagements,India must deter China before it gets
encircled by China's strategic assets close to India's borders and gets arm-twisted
in the disputed border negotiations.
4 days ago

(4)

(0) reply (0)

kk Vida ShashiRane

Up Voted

Anand Kumar
I like the generosity of the author to claim that the prosperity and job creation in
Pakistan with help of China will curb the Jihad. But nation can't afford the second
chance of perfidiousness rather I would enjoy to be an sceptic in such case. our
foreign policy should maintain the status quo of the view of Sardar Patel, who was
always cautious against the move of China. His letter to the then PM Nehru was not
less than a foreseer in thought and action. we can figure out the problems of
Bangladeshi migrants, Pakistan led terrorism but we can't accept the soft economic
conspiracy of China.
4 days ago

Vida

(1)

(0) reply (0)

Up Voted

AMAN AGRAWAL
Huge 45billion dollar investment. Is needed if we look at the economic status of
Pakistan which is one eighth of India.it requires investment in electricity
generation,infrastructure, industries etc. But the economic corridor is strategic
approach of china to open itself to the west Asia and to expand its reach in the
south Asian front as well.
4 days ago

Vida

(1)

Points

100

(0) reply (0)

Up Voted

Ar11
Pakistan clearly differentiates between good and bad terrorists. The activities of
'good terrorists' who attack India are controlled by Pakistan's Sate agencies. WHile
it is true that the economic corridor will create more opportunities for employment
and absorb young workforce who would otherwise be attracted to radicalisation, it
doesnt guarantee the breakdown of jihadi network. Pakistan has created them as
strategic assets and would continue to use them.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

SARANATHAN
China and Pakistan are following the only policy of enemy's enemy is my best
friend. Therefore, your edit is only a wishful thinking that the economic
collaboration would benefit all, including India!

Points

1000

1000
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

V.
The most favourable interpretation that one can think of is that China is doing
Pakistan a good turn by giving it an opportunity to use the promised Chinese
investment over the next 10 years and use it in areas especially affected by the
activities of home-bred terrorists. If Pakistan uses this opportunity in that spirit,
then it is possible that Pakistan shall not be spoken of in unkind words but as a
developing country working hard to divert its misguided youth to gainful channels
of legitimate employment. If there are openings for Pakistan's youth, it is possible
that they may shun the path of terrorism and go into useful avocations. Therein
lies hope for the people of Pakistan. Let us hope the leaders of Pakistan do not
fritter away the new opportunity by persisting with a chimera like a jugular vein or
a dream of parity. No one ever achieved anything by pursuing a chimera or a
dream. Perhaps some people in Pakistan may be realistic. vcbhutani
4 days ago

(3)

Points

580

(0) reply (0)

The_Politician Muskan AnandKumar

Up Voted

Ravi
Anything China does is to be welcomed says N. Ram's family outfit The Hindu, even
if it is arming the enemy nation! The Hindu mourns with Rahul Gandhi the demise
of USSR. So what is left, MFN agreement with North Korea?
4 days ago

(7)

Points

8205

(2) reply (0)

vyasVyasakaveendra Raghu krishna Vinayak

Gaurav kapyS Down Voted

Up Voted

Anil
Right after 1962, the focus of China is to undercut India's strengths by colluding
with Pakistan. It is their mutual interest which is the cause of this behavior and
cannot be objected logically. India has to find a partner in Japan or USA to balance
this China - Pakistan - North Korea nexus.
4 days ago

(4)

Points

2880

(0) reply (0)

vyasVyasakaveendra Vida krishna

Up Voted

Mujeeb Rahman
World powers like America has made Pakistan like muslim countries jihad
factories.But a tireless effort to usher in developments with maximum
manpowering in the economic corridors collaborating with China seems to create a
new developmental history in Pakistan and it will help rub indeed the blots thrust
upon it by the invisible global net work.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

MUKUNDARAJAN
Like individuals, nations also commit serious blunders when they become
overconfident. The ruling elites of China have been blinded by delusional visions of
Chinese global supremacy. That is why they didn't do their homework while

Points

215

Chinese global supremacy. That is why they didn't do their homework while
deciding to invest billions in infrastructural projects in a nation tottering on the
precipice of existential implosion. The Chinese should know that investing in a
nation that has been irreparably radicalized is throwing good money at bad ideas.
If economic prosperity is the antidote to terrorism, then Saudi Arabia and Qatar
should have been the most moderate Islamic nations.
4 days ago

(4)

Points

4410

(1) reply (0)

SrinivasanThittai Vida HK anil

Gaurav Down Voted

Up Voted

Mushtaqh Ali
Only in the land of the Arthashastra is it possible to glibly fool the people that
international diplomacy requires not hard and continuous toil covered by
imaginative hard sell of national priorities. There is no place for the innocents or
the idealists but the pragmatists with sound backing of data and figures who are
willing to negotiate and bargain at the table, will find greater room and respect for
the countries they represent. It is here that India is seriously handicapped. With a
bunch of insecure leaders heading parties past their expiry dates and prescriptions
lifted from some bygone age, how is India going to take a reasonable stand? All
that these leaders want to prove is that they can take a strong stand and that is
enough to raise a cheer of approval among the middle class of the population, so
out of touch with its needy brethren to even notice their discomfiture. Fractured by
caste and class, isolated by economic bubbles, can Indians ever unite to be a proud
nation?
4 days ago

(3)

Points

1175

(2) reply (1)

vyasVyasakaveendra Gaurav anil

Vida HK Down Voted

Up Voted

natarajan
Very correctly said. We need to change our foreign policy drastically
compatible to new realities; mending fences with china and Pakistan
(both literally and figuratively!) is the need of the hour. When regional
hostilities are ended, resources could be diverted for more productive
purposes eliminating in one go unemployment and poverty.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Hariharan Pv at Sumangali Seva Ashrama, Bangalore

Every nation would have to look inward first, and then think of other external
involvements. Both India and China have a combined populations of over 2.6
billion (almost equal in each nation), which is 34% of world total. "Expansions" by
way of such infrastructure in "other" lands may have short term positive
implications; but one can never predict the long term consequences in this
dynamic world, where today's youngsters grow to become older generation in
about 20 to 25 years. Viewed from this angle, we may note that no country with
expansionist thoughts, has had any positive long term impacts, as the USA has had
to face. Today, the USA stands the most hated nation, both within and without,
having meddled and directed almost the entire world's functioning for well over 75
years, from the Second World war times. If China thinks they have a slot in that in
the current scenario, the long term implications could be not positive, but negative
4 days ago

(0)

(2) reply (4)

Points

7450

4 days ago

Raghu

(0)

(2) reply (4)

Down Voted

Suvojit
"USA stands the most hated nation" - How do you know this to be true?
Do majority Indians hate the USA? Sometimes it is wiser to ponder before
writing some gibberish just because one has access to a computer and
internet, even a trained monkey can do that.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Raghu
Complete and total garbage. How many Indians want to go to the U.S?
Millions. How many want to go to China? Hardly any. Most hated nation,
my foot! There is no fool like an old fool writing his personal hateful
thoughts as facts.
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (1)

Hariharan Pv at Sumangali Seva Ashrama, Bangalore

THE HINDU and the forum here are not for unparliamentary
balderdash... please. If one does not have enough knowledge
and democratic understanding, it does not mean others are
intolerant and incompetent
3 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Hariharan Pv at Sumangali Seva Ashrama, Bangalore

Suvojit and Raghu may like to read: Russia Insider: The decline and fall of
the United States. Pl google and learn
3 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

Hariharan Pv at Sumangali Seva Ashrama, Bangalore

Mr Suvojit (hope the name is correct), please use some intelligent way of
expression with civility and decency in discussing matters here. We must
know to respect peers here. Hope you regain that composure sooner
than later
4 days ago

(0)

(0) reply (0)

L R Dhulipala
Most of what the editorial says about the impact of the Chinese initiatives on
Pakistan's economy and political landscape is plausible. It may stem Pakistani
youth joining Jihad brigades, and help the Chinese contain Uighur extremism. But
whether it will stop Pakistan from using terrorists as an instrument to harass India,
and slow down her development is doubtful. Of course a stable and prosperous
Pakistan is to be welcomed by India, but whether Pakistan welcomes a prosperous
and stable India is a matter of doubt, in the light of recent historical events.
4 days ago

(1)

(0) reply (0)

Points

365

4 days ago

anil

(1)

(0) reply (0)

Up Voted

Omprakash Upadhyay
China is super six member Pmt member of UN security council the trend now RCI
is over with Dr Manmohan sing since govt change their agenda changed. SAARC
have no valued since it was product of new honest young brain leader to short out
all differences and should not suffer the nation and public both killed. Differences
may in family and nabour but one should be in mind going outside is more costly
than short out near giving such land to China is Pakistan prosperous as Hindu said
but criminal activity in J&K since long for non of their right they took what they
wanted in the name of religion in 1947. India has no fear since now atleast USA
have seen both their old friend faced openly for what they are doing being one
coming togethor which was root of 1962 & land occupied by China & 1965 is also
witness three were a side 1971 also was but we reached Lahore and left thousand
of war slaves military on humanatarian gorun also land but these forces can do if
honest leader in India
4 days ago

(0)

Points

145

(0) reply (0)

Vyas Vyasakaveendra at cemes

If Pakitan utilises the opportunity provided by China and concentrate on
development properly, it can surge ahead in removing poverty from its land faster
than its neighbours.
4 days ago

(0)

Points

4010

(0) reply (0)

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