‘Constant watch on all developments’: India slams China-Pakistan-Afghanistan meet, says CPEC expansion ‘unacceptable’ | India News
NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday reiterated its strong objection to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and termed any expansion or third-party involvement in the project “unacceptable.”In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that the Government of India is aware of a recent trilateral meeting between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan held in Beijing.“The government’s position on CPEC is clear and consistent. We have consistently protested to the concerned parties over the inclusion of the so-called CPEC as a flagship project of One Belt One Road/ Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR/BRI), as it passes through parts of the Indian Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation by Pakistan,” Singh said.On recent involvement of Afghanistan, Singh stressed that India has categorically opposed any proposed participation of third countries in the CPEC and has communicated its objections to the concerned parties.“Any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable. The government has consistently conveyed this position,” Singh reiterated.The minister also stated that India keeps a constant watch on all foreign developments that could impact its security and takes “all necessary measures” to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
