Reiterating India's firm stance on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, are integral parts of India. He stated that India opposes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it infringes upon New Delhi's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
File photo of Indian Army soldiers at the Line of Control. Photo: PTI
Response to the report
In response to a query on reports of increased cooperation between Pakistan and China during the weekly media briefing, Mr Jaiswal stated, "On PoK, we are very consistent in our position. We want to tell you, the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the union territories, they are part of India, an integral part of India. They were an integral part of India. They are an integral part of India and they will remain an integral part of India."
"Our position on CPEC also is well known to you. We are not in favour of it. We are against it. It goes against our territorial integrity and sovereignty," he added.
Mr Jaiswal's statement comes after Pakistan and China agreed to advance their joint project CPEC and backed finalising the modalities for third-party participation.
In a joint press stakeout, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed satisfaction over the steady pace of CPEC and vowed to "further upgrade and expand this cooperation," Pakistan-based Geo News reported.
The two leaders after co-chairing the fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, spoke about their in-depth discussion on the multiple facets of their bilateral relations including CPEC. Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi expressed commitment to continue extending support to each other on issues of core interest.
Dar said that Pakistan and China would pace up the implementation of the Main Line-1 railway line project, Gwadar Port development, realignment of Phase 2 of the Karakorum Highway, and strengthen cooperation in energy, agriculture, mining, minerals, information technology, and industry sectors, according to Geo News report.
He said, "As we embark on the second phase of CPEC, we look forward to developing corridors of growth, livelihood, innovation, green development, and inclusivity," according to Geo News report.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50 billion component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a 3,000 km infrastructure project aimed at connecting Pakistan's Gwadar and Karachi ports to China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. However, this ambitious project has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding human rights violations in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Earlier in March, a Baloch political activist highlighted the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan since the inception of CPEC at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
While making an intervention during the ongoing 52nd Session of the Council, Munir Mengal, the president of Baloch Voice Association, said, "The situation in Balochistan, Pakistan demands immediate attention due to the systematic abuse of human rights and the disregard for the basic freedoms and liberties of its people."
He informed the Council that the human rights situation in Balochistan escalated after the construction of the multi-billion dollar CPEC project.
"The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a source of great concern for the Baloch people. This multi-billion-dollar project is seen as an attempt to eliminate the Baloch people from their land, loot their resources and suppress their voices. The Baloch people are facing mass displacement, enforced disappearances, and military operations, as they are being systematically neglected, suppressed, and oppressed," said Munir Mengal.
China’s Economic Help to Pakistan
On May 29, 2024, Officials revealed that Pakistan's key ally, China, has been actively bolstering the defense capabilities of the Pakistani army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years. This support includes the construction of steelhead bunkers and the provision of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Combat Aerial Vehicles (CAVs).
China's assistance in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) extends to the installation of highly encrypted communication towers and underground fiber cables along the Line of Control (LoC). Advanced radar systems of Chinese origin, such as the 'JY' and 'HGR' series, have also been deployed to enhance medium and low altitude target detection capabilities. These measures provide crucial intelligence support for Pakistan's army and air defense units, officials told the Press Trust of India.
Deployment of Chinese Howitzers Along the LoC
Additionally, the presence of the SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun manufactured by a Chinese firm, has been observed at various locations along the LoC. This development is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen China's ties with Pakistan and safeguard Chinese investments in PoK, particularly those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The strategic placement of these artillery units underscores the deepening military collaboration between the two nations.
Infrastructure Development by Chinese Engineers in PoK
While senior PLA officials' presence at forward posts, as detected in 2014, has not been observed, intercepts suggest that Chinese troops and engineers are establishing infrastructure along the LoC, including building underground bunkers. Chinese experts are also engaged in tunnel construction in the Leepa Valley of PoK, signaling preparations for an all-weather road to connect with the Karakoram highway. These developments are part of a strategic initiative to enhance the region's logistical and defensive capabilities.
This infrastructure push is linked to Beijing's ambitious 46-billion-dollar CPEC project, which aims to establish a direct route between Gwadar Port in Balochistan and Xinjiang, through the Karakoram highway. This area, under the illegal occupation of China, is crucial for the project's success. The extensive infrastructure developments highlight Beijing's commitment to securing its investments and expanding its influence in the region, reinforcing the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan.
Chinese Telecom Expansion in PoK Raises Security Concerns
In 2007, China Mobile Communications Corporation took over a Pakistani telecom company, forming China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak). By August 2022, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) renewed CMPak's (Zong) mobile license for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and permitted the expansion of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in the region. While the Indian Army has maintained silence on the matter, intelligence agencies are being kept informed of these developments, which have raised significant security concerns.
India's Vigilance Amid Growing Chinese Presence in PoK
The continuous presence of Chinese military personnel in PoK has alarmed Indian authorities, especially given previous objections to Chinese activities in Gilgit and Baltistan areas. As tensions persist, India remains vigilant and prepared to counter any potential threats from across the border. This vigilance is crucial as China strengthens its foothold in the region through both military and telecom expansions, posing a multifaceted challenge to India's security interests.
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