Washington – The Trump administration put forward a claim to the Congress that they too believe that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through disputed territory — an accusation originally made by India to thwart the multibillion-dollar development work.
The $56 billion CPEC passes through Pakistan’s northern areas, which India claims is part of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir territory.
“The One Belt, One Road also goes through the disputed territory, and I think that in itself shows the vulnerability of trying to establish that sort of a dictate,” US Defence Secretary James Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week.
Secretary Mattis and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joseph Dunford appeared before the Senate and House armed services panel earlier this week to brief US lawmakers on the current situation in the Pak-Afghan region.
Secretary Mattis mentioned that the United States does oppose the ‘One belt, One Road policy’ because in a globalized world there are many belts and roads so that no one nation can dictate on the basis of a ‘One Belt, One Road rule’. He also emphasized the reason US opposes the ongoing work in Pakistan is because it passes through disputed territory.
“As far as Afghanistan goes, as we try to separate out variables where, in some areas, we work with China, for example, terrorism — I think there are areas where we can work — find common ground with China when it comes to counterterrorism, and we should exercise those areas pretty fully,” said US Defence Secretary Mattis.
United States recent change of stance on CPEC is further proving to sever the relationship between Pakistan and the US, which is already in a limbo after US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of supporting ‘terrorist safe harbors’ in his August speech.
