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COLUMN FOREIGN AFFAIRS

‘China is a cornerstone • Boosting ties New Pakistani government
seeks to enhance relations with China
of Pak’s foreign policy’ aside so long as Pakistan is getting ben-
efited economically, strategically and
otherwise. Over 30 per cent projects
linked to the CPEC process are located
The new government in Islamabad has re-emphasised the in Baluchistan, the most backward
ASIAN DRAMA significance of the Beijing factor in the country’s foreign policy province of Pakistan. Eighteen of the
22 projects falling within the frame-
SYED with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor being its key component work of CPEC involve investment and
financial aid. Only four such projects
NOORUZZAMAN will be implemented with the help of
ith cricketer-turned with China on CPEC; they didn’t do their concessional loans. Nine of the CPEC-
politician Imran homework correctly and didn’t negoti- related projects have already been
The columnist — former Khan taking over ate correctly so they gave away a lot.” completed and 13 are in the process
Deputy Editor of The as Pakistan’s Prime In Dawood’s opinion, “Chinese com- of coming up. Pakistan has already
Tribune, Chandigarh — Minister with the panies received tax breaks and have an benefited with the creation of nearly
specialises in foreign W support of some undue advantage in Pakistan; this is one one lakh new jobs with an investment
affairs. With a career religio-political parties and others, of the things we’re looking at because of $19 billion.
spanning 41 years, he voices began to be heard that the deal it’s not fair that Pakistan companies CPEC, however, has serious implica-
keeps close watch on for the China-Pakistan Economic Cor- should be disadvantaged.” tiative (BRI), aimed at connecting Asia tions for India as the economic cor-
issues related to South ridor (CPEC) might be renegotiated as it Elaborating his viewpoint, Dawood and Europe along the ancient silk road. Moving from the ridor passes through Gilgit-Baltistan in
Asian countries. The was considered not being in the long- pointed out, “I think we should put It also includes a huge expansion of bilateralism in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “The CPEC
views expressed are term interest of Islamabad. Those who everything on hold for a year so we can Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Baluchistan passing through Pakistan-occupied-
personal thought on these lines must revise their get our act together. Perhaps, we can province as well as increasing road CPEC Project, both Kashmir challenges Indian sovereign-
opinion now. They were hoping against stretch CPEC out over another five years and rail links and setting up $30 billion countries have ty,” said the Union Defence Ministry in
hope. The new government in Islama- or so.” worth of power plants. reportedly agreed its annual report submitted to Parlia-
bad has re-emphasised the significance Dawood’s remarks could not be Clarifications by Razzak Dawood ment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
of the China factor in Pakistan’s foreign taken lightly as he is a renowned and glorification of CPEC by Imran to broaden up the expressed India’s serious concerns
policy with CPEC to remain as its businessmen, who founded Descon Khan notwithstanding, there are seri- corridor project for over CPEC when he met Chinese Presi-
component. Engineering, involved in engineering ous reservations among certain groups dent Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the
Khan highlighted his country’s all- and construction, chemical, power and in Pakistan with regard to CPEC. third country or G-20 summit in September last year
weather friendly relations with China inspection projects and, perhaps, the Pakistan’s religio-political parties, par- but in vain. Once the CPEC plan begins
during a meeting with Chinese Foreign first Pakistani multinational operating ticularly, some of which are now part party participation to be implemented in Afghanistan and
Minister Wang Yi, who visited Islama- in six countries. of the government headed by Khan, then in Iran, as planned, it will have far
bad soon after the change of govern- The Pakistani leader’s clarification have always been opposed to China’s more serious implications for India.
ment in Pakistan. In Khan’s own words, that he was quoted out of the context expanding footprint on Pakistani soil Some people in Pakistan see the Pakistan will continue to nurture
“Friendship with China is a cornerstone was not taken seriously till Imran Khan owing to the various kinds of threats China-funded CPEC as the arrival of a its relations with China also because of
of Pakistan’s foreign policy”. The two reiterated his government’s commit- involved, including transformation of new East India Company to subjugate the US getting distanced from Islama-
leaders described CPEC as being of ment on implementing the CPEC deal the socio-cultural reality in Pakistan. their country on the pretext of helping bad on the issue of fighting terrorist
“mutual benefit of the people of both during the Chinese Foreign Minister’s These parties have been opposed to the it become a manufacturing and export elements.
countries”. However, third country visit to Pakistan. China, however, does harsh treatment meted out to Uyghur hub. Obviously, the billions of dollars A new angle is coming up as Russia
investors will also be invited to join the not want CPEC to remain confined to Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province. the Chinese will be investing in this and many countries in Europe too are
$60 billion project, which will acquire Pakistan. The economic corridor project There is no commonality in the mega scheme cannot be without a reportedly showing interest in the
two new aspects to it --- socio-economic will reportedly be extended to Afghani- views of these religio-political parties long-term objective. Interestingly, they Chinese economic initiative owing to
and regional development. stan and beyond obviously to strength- and those of the Pakistan army on the will be accomplishing this task with negative signals from the US adminis-
New calculations began to be made en Chinese presence in the strategically Uyghur movement, the East Turkistan the help of the Pakistan army, which tration under President Donald Trump.
with regard to CPEC’s future and the significant region ostensibly on the Islamic Movement (ETIM), which can has reportedly raised a Special Security Under the prevailing circumstances,
China factor in Pakistan’s foreign policy pretext of creating job opportunities. be understood from the remarks of Division comprising 15000 troops to Pakistan obviously cannot weaken the
after the UK’s Financial Times carried a There is also a plan to involve a number Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed provide security to the Chinese work- China factor in its foreign policy. But
report quoting Khan’s Adviser on Com- of other countries too, including Turkey, Bajwa, who told the visiting Chinese ing in the various CPEC projects. all this means a serious challenge for
merce, Textile, Industry & Production Saudi Arabia and Russia, in the SEZ’s Foreign Minister that his country was Yet the anti-Chinese allies of the India’s foreign policy managers. Are
and Investment Abdul Razzak Dawood. (special economic zones). firmly committed to the cause of elimi- Imran Khan government are keep- they listening?
The report had it that “the previous CPEC is by far the largest and most nating the ETIM as part of its counter- ing quiet. Perhaps, they believe that
government did a bad job negotiating ambitious part of the Belt and Road Ini- terrorism drive. ideological differences can be kept LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

TEHELKA / 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 52 WWW.TEHELKA.COM TEHELKA / 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 53 WWW.TEHELKA.COM

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