(TibetanReview.net, Jun17’19) – India has again refused to endorse Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s ambitious global interconnectivity plan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit’s Bishkek declaration on Jun 14. In fact India reiterated its strong objection to Beijing’s ambitious global programme during the summit which was held in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, reported news18.com Jun 16.
The report said Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintained India’s stand that connectivity projects should be “transparent” and “inclusive”, adding that the “territorial integrity” of countries “should be respected”.
India has been raising its concerns as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major part of the BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied Indian territory of Kashmir.
While endorsing the importance of better connectivity, Modi was reported to have added that such initiatives must be based on “respect for sovereignty, regional integrity, good governance, transparency…and reliability”.
All other all other members of the SCO, which is led by China, signed on for President Xi Jinping’s project, the report said. They were Pakistan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The Bishkek Declaration on BRI was quoted as saying: “The Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan reaffirm their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and praise the results of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (which was held in April 26).”
The summit was stated to have seen convergence on terrorism, a major concern of India, with the declaration saying “member states, stressing that acts of terrorism and extremism cannot be justified, believe it important to take comprehensive measures to intensify efforts against terrorism and its ideology”.