India reiterates opposition to China's Belt and Road Initiative at SCO conclave

India on Wednesday reaffirmed its opposition to China’s ' One Belt One Road' (OBOR) initiative, emerging as the only country within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to withhold support for the connectivity project. A joint statement released at the end of the SCO’s Council of Heads of Government meeting, held in Islamabad, revealed that all other member states, including Russia, Iran, and Pakistan, expressed their backing for OBOR.

The communique stated that Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan noted ongoing efforts to implement OBOR, including steps to connect the Eurasian Economic Union with the initiative. However, India’s opposition to OBOR remains firm, with the project’s inclusion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being a key point of contention. CPEC, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has been a long-standing geopolitical concern for India.

This is not the first time India has declined to endorse OBOR at an SCO forum. Indian officials have also echoed growing international concerns about the initiative, particularly over the rising debt burden faced by countries undertaking OBOR-related projects.

In his address at the conclave, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the risks associated with such projects. “Debt is a serious concern,” he noted, without elaborating further. However, Jaishankar stressed the importance of alternative approaches, saying, “Collaborative connectivity can create new efficiencies.”

The joint statement also referenced broader regional cooperation efforts, with discussions on forming a 'Greater Eurasian Partnership.' This potential partnership aims to link the SCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other interested countries and organizations.

The SCO leaders emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure economic and social stability in the region. They reaffirmed their commitment to the SCO Economic Development Strategy, targeting sustainable development up to 2030. The conclave highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation, with members pledging to work toward implementing relevant action plans.

The Islamabad summit was chaired by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by high-level representatives, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and leaders from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

with PTI inputs