ISLAMABAD – Pakistani and Chinese navy would hold joint exercises from timeto time to help meet the challenges. Moreover, the frigates and warships ofthe Chinese Navy would keep visiting Pakistan’s coastal areas. Moreover,joint security drills may also be considered,” Pakistan today has reportedquoting sources from the Foreign Office.
Asked whether these drills would be held at Gwadar port, the official saidthat Pakistan wanted to dedicate the strategic port only for commercialtrade.
“We would like to dedicate Gwadar port for commercial purposes. However,for effective security, we have developed a small naval base at the port,while some personnel from military, FC and Rangers have also been stationedfor security purposes,” the source said.
The source said that Pakistan Navy would be using Jinnah Naval Base for allsorts of naval cooperation, and whether it is strategic or conventionalweaponry, all exercises and skill building cooperation would be conductedat Ormara base.
“Moreover, we are also looking for possibilities to develop naval bases atPasni, Jewani or any other suitable place at the coastal line. However, letme assure you that China is not interested in building its naval base atPakistan’s coastal line. It is not in their DNA to build bases outsideChina,” the official asserted.
Responding to another question, the official also refuted the propagandathat China would be the major beneficiary of the CPEC as compared toPakistan.
“Let me assure you that CPEC is not the lifeline for China as is beingprojected. CPEC is not the only option available to China, as there areseven other corridors being worked out by Beijing. There are six corridorsunder Belt & Road Initiative (BRI),” the official said.
Separately, the source added, China has also operationalised China-Eurasiaand China-Iran corridors.
“Last year, over 3,000 cargo trains shuttled between China and Europe—afact which speaks volumes about China’s outreach. Moreover, China alsooperationalised its train route to Iran, which went unnoticed. So Pakistanis not the only option for China. But yes, CPEC is the best option Chinahas,” the official said.
Asked to elaborate, the official said that China had launched its effortsto develop an ambitious corridor with establishing a road link withMyanmar, India and Bangladesh (BCIM) back in 1998, but India became a majorhurdle in the operationalisation of this trade route.
“There is a road already linking Myanmar with India, and only a smallportion needs to be widened and redeveloped. Moreover, the militants inNorth India and Myanmar would have to be dealt with. China has alreadydeveloped a road link with Myanmar, while India also has a road link withBangladesh. So it is only about linking the already available roads. ButIndia is the biggest hurdle as Indian prime minister Narendra Modi andformer premier Manmohan Singh never allowed BCIM to take off,” the officialsaid.
The official said that soon after launching the BRI, China has convened thefirst meeting of the BCIMEC joint working group in Kunming, and a jointstudy plan was signed by all parties, leading to the establishment of amechanism for cooperation among the four governments.
“But despite the lapse of five years, there is no development,” theofficial said.
On the other hand, CPEC is a great opportunity for Pakistan, under which,apart from power and infrastructure projects, nine industrial zones wouldbe constructed across all regions of Pakistan, which will greatly boostcountry’s economy and create employment opportunities.