China: Can rename CPEC to allay Indian concerns
What's the story
Chinese ambassador to New Delhi Luo Zhaohui clarified that the CPEC corridor was just a means of economic co-operation and had no connection with "sovereignty issues."
He said China and India have had a history of "de-linking sovereignty disputes from bilateral relations" and urged India to participate in the OBOR.
He proposed several initiatives to take forward bilateral cooperation between India and China.
Details
What is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor?
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an under construction, multi-billion dollar development project which seeks to improve Sino-Pak connectivity and enhance regional trade.
The project envisages the creation of energy pipelines, road-and-rail links and industrial trade corridors between China and the Pakistani port of Gwadar.
It runs through PoK.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Nawaz Sharif announced the initiative on 22 May 2013 in Islamabad.
OBOR
The One Belt, One Road initiative
The One Belt, One Road initiative involves setting up industrial and trade corridors between China and Eurasia to improve Chinese trade connectivity.
It is divided into the sea-based Maritime Silk Road (linked through various ports in different countries) and the land based Silk Road Economic Belt.
CPEC is considered the link between the land-based and sea-based routes of the OBOR.
India
India's stance on the CPEC
The proposed project passes through disputed territory in J&K, through Gilgit Baltistan.
China had always maintained that J&K was a bilateral problem; however in Dec'14, it announced the closure of the strategic Khunjerab Pass and in the process referred to Gilgit Baltistan as part of Pakistan.
India has vehemently opposed the Kashgar-Gwadar CPEC route which entails energy and infrastructure projects within PoK.
Quote
Can rename CPEC: Ambassador Luo Zhaohui
Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said "It (CPEC) has no connections to or impact on sovereignty issues. Even we can think about renaming the CPEC."
Proposals
What were the other proposals?
Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui, proposed improve Sino-Indian ties by starting negotiations on a China-India Treaty of Good Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation.
He also sought to restart negotiations on a China-India Free Trade Agreement.
He said then we could resolve border issues and explore the feasibility of aligning China's One Belt One Road Initiative and India's Act East Policy.
Pakistan
Pak raises objections to renaming proposal
According to reports, Pakistan raised issues against the proposed renaming of the CPEC by Ambassador Luo Zhaohui.
Pakistan's Ministry of Planning and Development wrote to the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad seeking a clarification.
Following this, the renaming quote has been deleted from transcripts of the speech posted on the website of the Chinese embassy in New Delhi.