China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will now reach Afghanistan, what impact can CPEC have on India?

News Topical, Digital Desk : China's ambitious project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will now reach Afghanistan. Regarding this, China has signed an important trilateral agreement with Pakistan and the Taliban government. Under this, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is to be extended to Afghanistan. This step has been taken to strengthen Afghanistan's economy and increase connectivity in South Asia. This new alliance between China-Pakistan and Afghanistan can prove to be dangerous for India in many ways. 

Let us tell you that CPEC is an important economic cooperation project between China and Pakistan, which aims to promote trade, transport and energy connectivity between the two countries. Under this project, focus has been laid on the construction of roads, railways and energy infrastructure, so that goods transportation and economic cooperation can be accelerated. This project also gives China a strategic edge. This is the main reason for India's concern.

Afghanistan participated for the first time

Now Afghanistan will be included in the CPEC project under this tripartite agreement. This will provide new business opportunities to Afghanistan, as well as open new avenues for infrastructure and economic prosperity. This agreement with the Taliban government can improve infrastructure in Afghanistan, which can also generate new employment opportunities. Experts believe that this project will benefit Afghanistan's economy and strengthen trade and connectivity across South Asia. The extension of CPEC to Afghanistan can improve the economic condition of the region and open new avenues for prosperity.

Potential impact on India from the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan

The extension of CPEC to Afghanistan can be harmful for India in many ways. According to experts, the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan can be worrying for India from diplomatic, geopolitical and strategic point of view. This can directly impact India's regional security, influence and trade strategy. 

1. Weakening of geopolitical influence and India's regional hold

According to Dr. Abhishek Srivastava, Assistant Professor at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU),  the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan will increase the influence of China and Pakistan in Afghanistan, which may limit India's role there. India has so far maintained influence in Afghanistan through large development projects (such as the Zaranj-Dilaram road, Parliament House, hospitals), which may now come under pressure from the China-Pak alliance.

2. Strategic siege

China is already surrounding India from all sides with ports like Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Gwadar (Pakistan), Chittagong (Bangladesh). Now with CPEC reaching Afghanistan, China will get strategic depth on India's western front as well, which is seen in India as the "String of Pearls" strategy.

3. Security challenges due to China-Pak-Afghan nexus

CPEC's association with Afghanistan under Taliban rule could pose a security threat to India, especially in the context of Kashmir. Pakistan may argue that India is a "non-local" party and has no right to interfere in projects such as CPEC. 

4. China gets direct access to Afghan resources

Let us tell you that Afghanistan is rich in lithium, rare minerals and other natural resources. China will get easy and secure access to these through CPEC. It will become difficult for India to have competitive access to these resources, which may affect India's technological and industrial strategy.

5. Impact on Chabahar Port and INSTC

India had planned to connect to Afghanistan and Central Asia through Chabahar port (Iran) and INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor). But now the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan will strengthen the China-Pakistan option, due to which these efforts of India may face competition and political obstacles. In such a situation, the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan is a diplomatic and strategic challenge for India. It can not only reduce India's sphere of influence, but can also strengthen the China-Pakistan alliance, which can be risky for India's national security and regional strategy in the long run. 

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