BEIJING- The image of Pakistan has improved as the country gives fullsupport to China’s Belt and Roadlink>(B&R)initiative.
As an example, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was the firsthigh-level foreign dignitary to be received by KP Sharma Oli after Oli wassworn in as the prime minister of Nepal on February 15.
Nepal’s prime minister usually makes his first visit to India after beinginaugurated, so the invitation to Pakistan is seen as a sign that the twocountries may strengthen economic cooperation. Although the China-PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC) faces problems such as security, the economiccorridor has become a reality with the first shipment of Chinese goodsthrough the Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan in 2016. The CPEC, a flagshipproject of the B&R initiative, helps Pakistan occupy an important positionin the trade route linking China and the West.
While Nepal extends an olive branch to Pakistan to enhance cooperation,Afghanistan has also showed an interest in being involved in the CPECprojects. The CPEC will create new business opportunities for not onlyPakistan but also other countries in South Asia and adjacent areas as itreshapes the regional economic landscape by shortening trade routes.
China’s B&R initiative has made headlines across South Asia, where leadersmust ponder the future of regional economic integration in a bid to pursuethe maximization of their local interests. Some countries in the regionhave thus witnessed frequent high-level bilateral exchanges.
The B&R initiative is not designed as a political instrument to enhanceChina’s economic ties with the participants, but as an open platform forall of them to strengthen communication among themselves.
Active exchanges in various areas are brightening the picture for SouthAsian economies. It seems the B&R initiative has played an increasing rolein promoting economic integration.
According to the Daily Times, Pakistan and Nepal have agreed to revitalizethe summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in thespirit of the charter.
Countries that have given a cool response to the B&R initiative may bebystanders to South Asia’s rejuvenation. This should be recognized byIndia. – Global Times