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CPEC phase-1 focused on infrastructure, energy, and port development projects while CPEC phase-2 revolves around Special Economic Zone development and industrialization.
About CPEC
- It is a 3,000-km-long route of infrastructure projects connecting China's northwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Gwadar Port in western Pakistan province of Balochistan.
- Launched in 2015, it is a flagship project under Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).
- BRI is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched in 2013 to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Gulf region, Africa, and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.
Concerns of India
- CPEC, passes through Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) violating India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Gwadar port’s development threatens India’s maritime security in Arabian Sea and energy/oil import through Gulf of Oman.
- Economic non-viability of many of the BRI projects that led to “debt trap” situations in countries like Sri Lanka.
Steps taken by India to counter CPEC
- Chabahar port In Iran, to enhance connectivity and counter Gawadar port.
- International North-South Transport Corridor, connecting India to central Asia and Eurasia bypassing Pakistan.
