The gigantic project of building China (Xinxiang) to Gawadar road, rail and pipeline corridor is reported to have been started by Chinese experts in Gilgit. A couple of years back China sent in thousands of PLA personnel into Gilgit and Baltistan. It said that these Chinese were technicians and skilled labourers engaged in raising much needed infrastructure in the once Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is now clear that a 4-lane road link, rail link and gas pipeline are underway over this long stretch through the heart of forbidding Karakorum Mountains. The link will connect China with Western world via the Arabian Sea and also the Continent of Africa. The gas pipeline will flow Turkmen gas across Afghanistan and Pakistan to gas pipelines carrying the energy to China. When completed, the link will change the history of the region.
Obviously the link passes through the part of Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir that has been illegally occupied by China and Pakistan. India has lodged a protest with China over the use of its territory without its permission. Where will that protest lead to is anybody’s guess? India had lodged protest to China when she occupied part of Aksai Chin and built road link to Tibet. Nothing came out of that protest.
India has to take into account the issue of her security concerns. The road and rail link poses serious threat to our border security along the entire northern border. Reports say that China has already deployed nuclear missiles along the Karakorum Highway which can target any Indian city and even reach the Indian Ocean. This is a matter of serious concern. Moreover, the simple inference is that Gawadar port will ultimately emerge not only as a big commercial Centerport but also a strong naval base of Sino-Pak joint.
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