International Relations
Pakistan-China Luxury Bus Service
- 08 Nov 2018
- 2 min read
In spite of India's objection, Pakistan and China have launched a luxury bus service passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) from Lahore (Pakistan) to Kashgar city (China's Xinjiang province).
- It is part of an initiative to connect the two countries via road under the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
One Belt One Road (OBOR) and CPEC
- OBOR is one of the major initiatives of China focusing on improving connectivity and cooperation connecting Asia to Europe and Africa.
- It has two dimensions: Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB), a land route and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) an ocean route.
- Launched in 2015, CPEC is one of the flagship projects of SREB. It provides rail-road connectivity between Gwadar in Balochistan, Pakistan to Xinjiang province of China and passes through PoK.
- It is one of the largest bilateral initiatives between China and Pakistan with a budget of around $46 billion. CPEC is considered as a boon to struggling Pakistani Economy.
India’s Concern
- CPEC passes through Indian Territory, thus interferes with India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- There is a lack of transparency around the way the project is funded. It is considered as a part of Chinese policy of debt-equity swap.
- It may disrupt and destroy Himalayan Ecology.
