India open for suggestions on China’s ‘OBOR’ scheme if sensitivities are addressed

The external affairs ministry on Thursday said that India is open for suggestions for China’s One Belt One Road, mega infrastructure project.

It came as a reaction to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s call for India to find ways to join China’s OBOR on Monday.  

Lavrov earlier had pitched for India’s participation and find a way to benefit from the OBOR initiative.

“On this particular suggestion, also I think I have mentioned in the past that if there are suggestions, if there is a view which takes into account our sensitivities in the matter then there is something which we are willing to look at,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He also said India’s position on OBOR is “very clear”. India has opposed the OBOR due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). CPEC is part of the OBOR.

About India’s opposition to the project, the Russian foreign minister had said, “The specific problem in this regard should not make everything else conditional for resolving political differences.”

 “We support the reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which are Afghan led, Afghan controlled and Afghan owned. We have enjoyed a close association with the country and we are committed to assist Afghanistan in its nation building efforts,” the spokesperson said.

(With PTI inputs)