The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger “One Belt One Road” initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 words)

CPEC is a portfolio of Chinese investments, roads, railways, energy projects, fibre links and industrial zones connecting China’s Xinjiang region with Pakistan’s Gwadar port under the Belt and Road Initiative.

• It seeks energy supply, trade connectivity, industrial development and access to the Arabian Sea.
• Gwadar and the western route can expand China’s strategic and logistical presence in the Indian Ocean.
• Financing, construction and debt arrangements have generated both infrastructure opportunities and sustainability concerns.

• The corridor passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, part of the territory claimed by India and under Pakistan’s control; participation would prejudice sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• India objects to opaque financing, debt risks and inadequate consultation with affected states.
• Strategic encirclement, dual-use infrastructure and China-Pakistan military cooperation intensify security concerns.

India prefers transparent, consultative connectivity respecting sovereignty, while developing alternatives such as Chabahar and the International North-South Transport Corridor.

Keywords: India-China relations, connectivity corridors, CPEC and sovereignty.