KABUL – India has strongly objected to any attempt to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan, calling such a move “unacceptable,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
The objection came in response to a recent trilateral meeting in Beijing on May 21, where China, Pakistan, and Taliban representatives discussed expanding regional connectivity projects, including CPEC.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that New Delhi has “consistently protested” against CPEC because it runs through Pakistan-administered Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, which India considers “illegally occupied” by Pakistan.
“Any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable,” Singh said. He added that India “keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security.”
CPEC, a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), involves more than $60 billion in infrastructure projects, including highways, railways, and energy investments in Pakistan.
China and Pakistan have signaled their intent to extend the corridor into Afghanistan, presenting it as an opportunity for reconstruction and regional trade. Kabul could gain access to key routes and economic corridors, particularly through mineral-rich areas.
However, India has reiterated that such plans violate its sovereignty. It has urged that international connectivity projects adhere to “universally recognized norms,” including respect for “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
New Delhi has promoted alternatives like Iran’s Chabahar Port and the TAPI and Lapis Lazuli corridors as part of its strategy to maintain regional access without compromising sovereignty.
India’s firm stance reflects deep concerns over China’s growing influence in Afghanistan and the strategic implications for South Asia. Officials warn that CPEC’s expansion could shift regional power balances and further limit India’s role in Afghanistan.
