One Belt, One Road : A Master Plan That Link The World |

China is organising a two-day summit to discuss its plans to build a network of trade routes—One Belt, One Road (OBOR)—that will connect Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Approx 65 countries are expected to take part in the summit. China plans to issue a joint statement at the end of the two-day summit to showcase a wide approval of its ambitious project. India is not attending the summit as India is not in favour of OBOR.

What is OBOR?

One Belt, One Road is a development strategy, proposed by Chinese president Xi Jinping that focuses on connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe. OBOR consist of two components, the land-based “Silk Road Economic Belt” (SREB) and oceangoing “Maritime Silk Road” (MSR).

Why is India not in favour of OBOR?

The main reason behind India’s opposition towards the policy is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a 3,000 km project connecting Pakistan’s deep-water port Gwadar and China’s Xinjiang which is a key part of OBOR.

The issue with CPEC is that it will pass through Gilgit-Baltistan region which lies in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The Chinese presence in a disputed region which India claims as part of its own territory raises control concerns for India and can also be unhealthy to the security of the country.

Now, as China is favouring a lot for OBPR and also investing an enormous sum of to build a network of trade routes and infrastructure. There can be some hidden motive behind this as China always hides its military plans in its economic projects.