WASHINGTON: The multi-billion dollar China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will deepen China's already formidable presence in the South Asian nation, and "aggravate" tension between India and Pakistan, a US think-tank said today.
"CPEC will deepen China's already formidable presence in the country and clearly aggravate India-Pakistan tensions. In addition, real questions persist about Pakistan's ability to finance its share of new energy investment," Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia Program at the Wilson Center said in a report published today.
According to him, even though the CPEC may enable Pakistan to generate more power, it will not solve the country's broader energy crisis, which is rooted in factors that go well beyond supply shortages.
"Stability in Pakistan's security situation and economic performance is increasingly in critical interest for Beijing because it is a precondition for CPEC's success. Given New Delhi's strenuous opposition, CPEC will exacerbate India- Pakistan tensions," Kugelman wrote.