CPEC challenges India's sovereignty, so we oppose it: Indian Ambassador

CPEC challenges India's sovereignty, so we oppose it: Indian Ambassador

BEIJING - India's Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale who was earlier Abassador in Islamabad has spoken of India's strong reservations about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is a part of China's multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"When we talk about development projects or connectivity projects, they must be transparent, fair and equal.

There are certain internationally accepted norms for such projects," he said, in an apparent reference to the criticism that the BRI projects lack transparency.

"If a project meets those norms, we will be happy to take part in it.

One of the norms is the project should not violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a country.

Unfortunately, there is this thing called CPEC, which is called a flagship project of BRI, violates India's sovereignty and territory integrity.

Therefore, we oppose it," he said.

The CPEC traverses through the Azad Kashmir.