A Global Times article slammed “nervous” India’s response to One Belt, One Road, saying New Delhi cannot stop its neighbours from participating in China’s initiative. The article was only published online, suggesting it was aimed primarily at Indian online readers.
Online commentary in a hardline Chinese media outlet on Monday slammed “nervous” India’s response to China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative and said New Delhi couldn’t dissuade its neighbours from joining the plan.
“It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours’ debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more,” said the article by Global Times reporter Wang Jiamei that was published on the hardline tabloid’s English-language website, but not carried in the print newspaper or in the more widely-read Chinese edition, suggesting the piece was aimed primarily at Indian online readers – and perhaps aimed simply to irk them.
“Given the active responses from countries along the route, there is no way for India to impede its neighbouring countries from cooperating with China in infrastructure development,” it said.
The commentary hit out at India’s statement on Saturday that highlighted India’s sovereignty concerns regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as well as the “debt burden” of countries in unsound connectivity initiatives.
“India was openly sceptical of China’s Belt and Road Forum hours ahead of the opening of the event, mainly due to concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project of the B&R, and whether it might influence the disputed Kashmir region,” the commentary said.
“It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours’ debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more.”
It pointed to deals signed by China and Pakistan on Saturday for airport, port and highway projects and said Pakistan’s repayments would peak at $5 billion by 2022 and would be offset by transit fees. Nepal also is in talks over a cross-border rail.
“China has formally invited India to join the B&R. If India doesn’t want to take a part on the stage, then it should just be a good member of the audience. The role is still available if India changes its mind, but it may only be a small role if it is left too late,” the article said.
“China would never force any country to participate in the B&R if it was too skeptical and nervous to do so. It is regrettable but not a problem that India still maintains its strong opposition to the B&R, even though China has repeatedly said its position on the Kashmir dispute would not change because of the CPEC,” the article added.
Source:- India Today
The post ‘Nervous’ India can’t stop neigbours backing OBOR: Chinese media appeared first on Indian Defence Update.
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