Chinese media calls India ‘stubborn’ for bypassing Pakistan

A leading Chinese daily, the Global Times, has accused India of being ‘stubborn’ in its geopolitical thinking because of New Delhi’s decision to have a dedicated air corridor between India and Afghanistan, which would bypass Pakistan.

The article said the already launched and the proposed routes between India, Afghanistan and Iran “begs a question: Will India bypass Pakistan to develop trade with Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries?”

The report said, “All such connectivity efforts have not only signaled India’s desire to more actively participate in the regional economic development but have also highlighted the country’s stubborn geopolitical thinking.”

The article highlights India’s opposition to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and accuses New Delhi of attempting to counterbalance Beijing’s CPEC by collaborating with Afghanistan.

The June 25 article comes after India and Afghanistan inaugurated a dedicated air freight corridor on June 19 in order to strengthen bilateral trade.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs release, “India’s commitment to assist Afghanistan in all possible ways” is the reason behind the direct air corridor. The corridor will give Afghan farmers quick and direct access to the Indian markets, the release states.