Will give India a ‘small role’ if it comes asking to join OBOR in future, says China

India has turned down the invitation to be a part of China and Pakistan’s One Belt One Road project. To this, China has reacted by saying that India would have a very “small role” in the project if it decides to join the initiative in the future.

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"It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours' debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more," said a report by China’s state-run Global Times.

The article added that all countries along the route of the project have reacted actively to it, and therefore India can’t impede its neighbouring countries from cooperating with China for the same.

It added that China's high-profile initiative will not at all be effected by India’s refusal.

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India boycotted the forum of the project because of sovereignty concerns over the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"India was openly sceptical of China's Belt and Road Forum (BRF) hours ahead of the opening of the event, mainly due to concerns over the CPEC, a key project of the B&R, and whether it might influence the disputed Kashmir region," the report said.

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Pakistan and China have inked new deals worth nearly $500 million, which now cover airport, port and highway construction.

"As regards the potential debt burden, Pakistan's repayments will peak at around $5 billion in 2022, but this will be offset by transit fees charged in the CPEC," said another media report.

(Image source International Business Times)