Chinese media claims that Beijing is making sincere diplomatic efforts and embracing concrete policy shifts to mend relations with New Delhi. China, according to officials, wants both neighbors to exist as partners, not rivals. 

However, one of the thorns in the side of this relationship is China’s insistence on using Gilgit as the transit point for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This is not acceptable to India, since India considers Gilgit an integral part of its territory and currently illegally occupied by Pakistan.

In previous conversations and writings, I have argued that CPEC would remain viable and even turn more profits if China were to respect the wishes of India and bypass Gilgit-Baltistan altogether.

As shown in the accompanying map, the existing route via Gilgit, shown in red, helps China haul goods and services from Tashkurgan to Pakistan’s Gwadar port, which constitutes the main objective behind Chinese investments in Pakistan. The alternative route that I propose – shown in blue – would take a short detour through Afghanistan to bypass Gilgit-Baltistan.

The CPEC realignment starts near Tashkurgan, where the conduit turns west and follows the Mintaka (Mingtiegai) River towards the Wakhjir Pass and ends at Sarhad Baroghil in Afghanistan’s Wakhan. An existing narrow road connects these two points and needs widening and tunneling near the Wakhjir Pass. 

From Sarhad Baroghil, CPEC would snake southwards to enter Pakistan’s Chitral district after crossing the Baroghil Pass. As of now, Pakistan and China are working on the Chitral-Nowshera portion of the national motorway network that serves both Gwadar and Karachi ports.

This alternative route cuts road construction costs by half, since funds that China was planning to invest in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kohistan for tunnels, bridges, and widening of the Karakoram Highway could be diverted to Wakhan and Chitral, thereby enabling Afghanistan to join CPEC. The alternative route is also far more profitable, as it allows Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to simultaneously enjoy the benefits of CPEC.

The alternative route also shortens the distance to Gwadar if one follows the national highway network via Peshawar and Quetta. In the long run, CPEC operations remain effectively profitable while respecting India’s wishes to bypass Gilgit-Baltistan.

If China wants meaningful relations with India, then it has to walk the talk and end illegal intrusion in Gilgit-Baltistan. China’s refusal to consider the realignment of CPEC, especially when it offers far superior strategic and economic benefits, only proves that Beijing willfully bleeds India and aids and abets Pakistan in impeding its security and prosperity. A country that supports Pakistan on Kashmir cannot be India’s trusted friend or long-term partner.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.

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