On July 26, Indian officials denounced a move by Pakistan and China to involve other nations in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, which India does not recognize as legitimate, claiming the territory belongs to India and has been illegally occupied by Pakistan.
India’s external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that any participation from third parties in the CPEC would “directly infringe on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Bagchi said the Indian government “firmly and consistently opposes projects in the so-called CPEC,” which passes through the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Such activities are inherently illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable, and will be treated accordingly by India,” he said in a written statement….