India’s strong opposition to China’s BRI at UN conference in Beijing hit by 'sudden technical snag'

 

India has expressed its strong opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship project, the so-called China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at the just concluded second UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Beijing.

Priyanka Sohoni, the first Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Beijing while stating India’s position hit out at China’s BRI where her mike surprisingly went silent precisely at the point when she was highlighting New Delhi’s objection to the controversial projects. The conference was hosted by China in Beijing from 14th to 16th October under the aegis of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). 

The sudden “mike failure” at the UN conference ‘hitherto going on smoothly’, created a flutter and took several minutes to restore after which Indian statement could be completed. Sohoni said that expansion and strengthening of physical connectivity is an integral part of India’s economic and diplomatic initiatives. However, she expressed India’s concerns on BRI as there were some references to the BRI at the conference. She said that India is uniquely affected by BRI. It’s inclusion of the so-called CPEC as a flagship project impinges on India’s sovereignty,” and “No country can support an initiative that ignores its core concerns of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she said.

“This aside, there are also larger issues regarding how connectivity initiatives should be pursued. We are of the firm belief that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognized international norms. They must follow principles of openness, transparency and financial responsibility,” Sohoni said. Precisely at this moment her microphone stopped working, making India’s statement inaudible to other delegates.

The BRI is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013. It aims to enhance China’s influence and also link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. The USD 60 billion CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of the BRI. India has been vocally objecting to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The connection was restored after few minutes. DESA under-secretary general Liu Zhenmin, former Chinese vice foreign minister said it was a “technical problem” and asked the delegates to “be patient”.

Indian diplomat finished her speech after the connection was restored. “India for its part abides by these principles and stands ready to make collective efforts for sustainable developments through a human-centric approach,” she said at the end. “They must follow principles of openness, transparency and financial responsibility and be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of nations.”

After Sohoni’s speech, Chinese transport minister Li Xiaopeng, who was present at the conference, responded to the Indian diplomat’s criticism of BRI. “I would like to extend my apologies for the technical glitch just now when the Indian delegate spoke,” Li said. “I don’t want to be offensive. Just now you have mentioned a lot of topics. As for the topics you mentioned, I would like to make some complements,” Li said in what seemed to be a direct response to Sohoni’s statement. “The BRI is open and inclusive. We tried to improve the connectivity and seek the development of all countries. I would like to invite all parties to contribute to the development of these (BRI) projects,” Li added. Apparently the interruption caused by the “technical glitch” allowed him to respond to the Indian statement.

Diplomats familiar with the UN procedures and protocols said that Chinese transport minister’s response at the conference to the Indian diplomat’s critical remarks was a likely breach of UN protocol.

President Xi Jinping had also mentioned the BRI in his speech at the conference on 14th October and vowed to advance BRI and develop a green Silk Road and a digital Silk Road at a faster pace.

News is originally taken from: https://ddnews.gov.in/national/india%E2%80%99s-strong-opposition-china%E2%80%99s-bri-un-conference-beijing-hit-sudden-technical-snag