In News
- Recently, Pakistan has discussed Taliban-led Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project.
About the issue
- China has proposed the construction of the Peshawar-Kabul motorway as an extension of CPEC in Afghanistan.
- Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and China emerging as a major challenge in the form of the extension of its ambitious CPEC has raised India’s concerns on economic, political and security fronts.
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China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
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- Pakistan’s interest in CPEC:
- The Chinese investments are supposed to boost Pakistan’s 274 billion dollar GDP by over 15 per cent.
- Energy needs of Pakistan: The large scale energy production has been termed as the biggest breakthrough of the project. Hydropower projects in this initiative can double Pakistan’s energy capacity.
- Infrastructure development & Employment Opportunities:
- China’s interest in CPEC:
- Access to the Middle East and Europe: By shortening its route by about 12,000 km which is critical for energy imports.
- Gwadar Port provides a link between Maritime Silk Road and the Arabian Sea.
- Gwadar will have the estimated capacity to handle 19 million tonnes of crude oil per year, which will be sent to China after being refined at the port.
- At present, China transports 80% of its oil through the Strait of Malacca.
- China also has huge strategic and geopolitical advantages in the Indian Ocean region.
Image Courtesy: Tribune
India’s Concerns on Afghanistan joining CPEC
- Chabahar Port: The primary concern with Afghanistan joining CPEC is that India is apprehensive of its investment in Chabahar port in Iran.
- China’s influence:
- In Afghanistan, China is trying to fill the vacuum created after the US forces left Afghanistan economically and get its Belt and Road (BRI) initiatives going.
- With the Extension of CPEC, China will play a leading role in Afghanistan overpowering India’s economic influence in Afghanistan.
- India is apprehensive of undermining the India–Iran–Afghanistan trilateral that gives Afghanistan access to the sea via Chabahar port.
- Weakening of India’s Economic Influence: Attempts to extend CPEC to Afghanistan may undermine India’s position as an economic, security and strategic partner of Afghanistan.
- US$2 billion at stake: India has been the biggest regional donor to Afghanistan investing more than US$2 billion for developmental work like construction of roads, power plants, dams, parliament building, rural development, education, infrastructure and much more.
- Rare-earth metals: which are key components for a variety of advanced electronic technologies and hi-tech missile guidance systems will be exploited
by China with the extension of CPEC.
- Terrorism and Strategic Concerns: Given India’s limited strategic depth in Afghanistan, China is in a better position to leverage its strategic advantages in Afghanistan.
- It will also help Pakistan gain the strategic advantage and upper hand in Afghanistan at the cost of India.
- Pakistan can facilitate the use of terrorism against India.
- Control of Strategic Air Base and ports:
- China may try to take over the Bagram air force base in Afghanistan.
- The Bagram airport is the biggest airport and technically well-equipped as the Americans kept it for their use till the end, instead of the Kabul airport.
- China has a history of building military bases on the ports and air bases acquired on foreign lands in lieu of loans provided.
Way Forward & Conclusion
- Improved infrastructure and security situation in Afghanistan may help India to conduct its economic and trade activities in a secured environment.
- But, to achieve that, it is necessary to make the region terrorism free.
- It will be a big strategic gain for China and Pakistan and a loss for India if Afghanistan joins the CPEC.
- It can also result in a boost to terrorist organizations and provide a safe haven to such organisations.
Source: TH
