NEW DELHI – India ruled out the possibility of New Delhi reviewing itsstand on CPEC project, a major irritant in the Sino-Indian relationship.

She also said New Delhi is alert to the economic assistance provided byChina to India’s neighbours and ramifications it could have for thecountry.”Onething I want to assure here…we do not view our relations with Chinathrough the prism of China-Pakistan relations,” the minister told an eventto mark the 10th anniversary of ‘Chennai Centre for China Studies’ here.

Sitharaman brought up the issue of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),and made it clear that India will not “entertain any thought” of reviewingits stand on it, as it concerned its sovereignty.

“It is an issue of sovereignty, and we shall not entertain any thought(other than the stated Indian position) on that matter,” she said.

The CPEC comprises a bunch of projects aimed at upgrading infrastructure inPakistan and strengthening the economic ties between the two countries. Thecorridor will link Gwadar in south-western Pakistan to China’s Xinjiangprovince, and would pass through Pakistan Kashmir, a territory India claimsas its own.

“The kind of economic assistance being extended to many of our neighboursare all very clearly impacting the economies there, probably helping tobond a relationship with those countries.

“As a result, even a strategic presence could be enabled. I see a linkage.This is something which I think all of us, you (Chennai Centre for ChinaStudies) as a think tank, and we as a government, constantly be alert toand understand its ramifications,” she said.

Sitharaman said Pakistani military was becoming increasingly dependent onthe Chinese for arms and equipment.