Pakistan's CPEC delusion - first published 2016
This article was first published in the Indian Military review in 2017. I believe I was the first analyst to question the benefits of the CPEC. I think it was prescient, given Pakistan's economic collapse in 2023 and a good start to my blog. Understanding the CPEC The China Pakistan Economic corridor (CPEC) involves an investment of US$ 46 billion (now US$ 51.5 billion), by China, in Pakistan. It’s been touted as the game changer that can transform Pakistan’s economy and its strategic utility. The Pakistani and Chinese establishment have been understandably very optimistic about the gains from CPEC. The Indian media’s reaction is one of concern at the China-Pakistan partnership (and its negative implications for India’s defence), with suggestions that India join the CPEC. There is an inadequate economic analysis of the CPEC. This is resulted in criticism of the project, focusing on, in my view, secondary issues – such as the use of territory in POK, prospects of terrorism, or th...