Chi need not beg India to join Belt and Road: Daily

Beijing, June 7: Even as Chi has welcomed India to join the Belt and Road project, it does not need to “beg New Delhi” or agree to its demands, a Chinese daily said on Wednesday.

A commentary by a Global Times reporter said both Japan and India were welcome to join Chi’s ambitious project and they could be an example for the countries which have not joined the initiative.

“We are willing to see the initiative help build up a cooperation platform for countries along the route, but Chi does not need to beg any countries, Japan and India included, to join the initiative,” the commentary by Hu Weijia said.

Last month, New Delhi boycotted Chi’s Belt and Road summit in Beijing, citing its opposition to the Chi-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through a part of Kashmir held by Pakistan and claimed by India.

India’s absence at the summit was sort of an embarrassment to Chi even though it called the forum a success.

It is chiefly because of the CPEC that India has reservations over the Belt and Road project. Besides, the CPEC has put a new strain on Sino-Indian ties.

In an another article, the Global Times said India was “over-concerned,” about Chi’s intentions and views “bilateral relationship with Chi through the lens of geopolitics and regards Beijing as a strategic rival. (IANS)