Foreign Secy says countries must respect sovereignty & territorial integrity of nations in Indo-Pacific region
India on Thursday supported the idea of connecting the regions, but said that the projects must promote trade and not tension by respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. Addressing at a Regional Connectivity Conference in the national Capital, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that India believes in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region, which includes all nations in this geography and others who have a stake in it.
Kenneth Juster, United States Ambassador to India, who was also addressing the gathering said there were several benefits of stepping up connectivity, but cautioned that it also carries significant risks such as illicit trade, political interference and vulnerability to cyber attacks.
India has been opposing the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) — a major connectivity initiative of China on the grounds of territorial sovereignty — as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Referring to this, Gokhale said, "Connectivity efforts in the region must be based on principles of economic viability and financial responsibility. They should promote economic activity and not place nations under irredeemable debt burden."
Gokhale said that in a bid to overcome the unwillingness of Pakistan, which is refusing a transit to the West, India has established an air freight corridor with Afghanistan. He said India is seeking to develop the Chabahar Port as a gateway for onward connectivity to and from Afghanistan and Central Asia.
"Since its inauguration last year, we have shipped about 110 thousand metric tonnes of much-needed wheat and 2,000 metric tonnes of pulses from India to Afghanistan through this port. To tap its full potential for the benefit of Afghanistan, we might also need to pursue the development of a rail line from Chabahar to Zahedan at some future stage. There is also potential for the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor which will considerably reduce time and cost of transport from India to Central Asia," Gokhale said.
He also listed several connectivity projects that India is involved in the region — from Nepal to Sri Lanka. "The Indian Ocean has a vital role to play as a connector of the littoral nations. Sri Lanka and Maldives are the focus of our maritime connectivity efforts in the Indian Ocean," he said.
The US envoy emphasised increasing digital connectivity in South Asia and asserted that the free flow of information across borders via the internet drives productivity, growth, and innovation. "For that reason, we urge India and other countries to remain cautious in enacting data localisation and data privacy legislations which certainly can address legitimate privacy concerns, but if not done carefully under the involvement of all stakeholders, can also unnecessary restrict data flows, cause unnecessary regulations, and disrupt connectivity," Juster said.
Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said there were substantive discussions between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the recently-concluded summit in Japan and the two leaders vowed to strengthen cooperation for promoting connectivity.
US Speaks
Kenneth Juster, US Ambassador to India, said there were several benefits of stepping up connectivity, but cautioned that it also carries significant risks such as illicit trade, political interference and vulnerability to cyber attacks.
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