Bridge to Central Asia

China must be mindful of India’s concerns regarding the CPEC. An extract

Kulbushan Warikoo

Through CPEC, China has increased its communication footprint in Pakistan. Direct cross-border optic fibre cable has been laid from Tashkurghan in Xinjiang (across Khunjerab Pass) till Rawalpindi to deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation by establishing fast, reliable connectivity that is not routed through Europe or the US. It is poised to increase connectivity in remote but strategically important areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan. It is also planned to provide the Central Asian republics a new, shorter and cost-effective route for connectivity. China’s Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast (DTMB) technology is being brought into Pakistan to cover 90 per cent of its population. The communication plans include installation of surveillance cameras, explosives’ detectors and scanners covering major roads, sensitive areas and crowded places. Tashkurghan (in Xinjiang) has been developed as a hub with a new airport. China has officially donated security vehicles with its banner (China Aid) to Pakistan for use in Gilgit-Baltistan. China has introduced yak-mounted cavalry to guard the Sino-Pak border. There are plans to build a railway running parallel to KKH from Havelian to Khunjerab, from where it will be linked to China’s railway system at Kashgar. Gilgit-Baltistan functions mainly as a corridor between industrial centres and consumer markets in Xinjiang and Punjab (Pakistan). Plans are afoot to shift the Sust dry port in Gilgit to Havelian, which is being built on war footing. To conclude, CPEC is a strategic gain for China, as it will give the country access to oil-rich West Asia through Gwadar. Currently, 80 per cent of China’s impo