Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his desire to push forward the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in line with Beijing’s one belt one road programme. Welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his delegation,the Chinese president also expressed satisfaction over bilateral relations and cooperation in the regional connectivity projects. Both sides have signed various agreements and memorandum of understandings to enhance cooperation in trade, business and infrastructural projects. At least three agreements worth billions of dollars were signed to enhance economic and technical cooperation to improve facilities at the Gwadar port and construct East Bay expressway. The prime minister assured the Chinese leadership of the country’s support to the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative and congratulated the Chinese leaders for hosting the meeting of Belt and Road Forum.The heads of 29 countries are participating in the forum which is a way forward to promote links between Asia, Africa and Europe underpinning billions of dollars investment in infrastructure projects. Nawaz said that the participation of a large number of world leaders in the meeting testifies China’s growing stature in the international community. The road projects is regarded as a win-win position for all and it is the right step towards regional prosperity.
According to newspaper reports, Indian leaders are under pressure to send a high level delegation to attend the summit as regional connectivity is in the interest of all the countries. It is hoped that India will stop opposing the connectivity projects which are in the interest of all the nations. Pakistan has also been convincing the western nations to take benefits of the investment opportunities in Pakistan. Some German companies have already expressed interest in various CPEC projects and in the special economic zones.The members of the Munich Chamber of Commerce have sought a list of Pakistani entrepreneurs to establish joint ventures in various industrial and infrastructural projects.China has been persuading the German companies to collaborate with Pakistan in developmental projects in power, infrastructure and technological sectors.
At a time when the whole world is turning into a global village and the countries are joining hands to fight poverty, illiteracy and diseases, the SAARC region is still lagging behind various economies due to traditional rivalries among the member states.The Indian leadership is stubbornly keeping a haughty posture which is not in the interest of its own people.
