Wed Oct 16 22:03:46 UTC 2024: ## India Remains Firmly Against China’s Belt and Road Initiative at SCO Summit

**Samarkand, Uzbekistan:** India has once again firmly rejected China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, becoming the sole member state to oppose the project. This stance, reiterated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, highlights the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding China’s expansive infrastructure project.

India’s objection stems primarily from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of the BRI that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), territory India claims as its own. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity in trade and connectivity initiatives, raising concerns about the potential debt implications of such projects, without directly naming China.

In contrast, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a more cooperative approach to connectivity projects, urging SCO member states to not view initiatives like the BRI and CPEC through a “narrow political prism.” Sharif highlighted the potential of Afghanistan as a trade and transit hub and called for the Taliban government to ensure Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against its neighbors.

The SCO summit concluded with a joint communique, reaffirming the support of all other member states for the BRI. The communique also highlighted efforts to link the Eurasian Economic Union with the BRI and expressed optimism about implementing the SCO Economic Development Strategy through 2030.

India’s continued resistance to the BRI further underscores the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding China’s expansive infrastructure project. The summit also saw Sharif address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, condemning Israeli attacks and calling for an immediate ceasefire. He urged the international community to support the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Meanwhile, internal dissent within the NCP party in Maharashtra has surfaced, with a party legislator blaming the government for not addressing issues of reservations and another expressing displeasure over not being considered for a nomination.

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