US Aims to Revive Projects in Central Asia, Asia-Pacific to Counter OBOR

[StraightShooter]

US Aims to Revive Projects in Central Asia, Asia-Pacific to Counter OBOR

Fearing China's ambitious One Belt, One Road initiative, the US is aiming to revive two major infrastructure projects in South and Southeast Asia where India may play a key role. One of the projects was advocated by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to Chennai in 2011.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — In its first annual budget proposals to the US Congress on Tuesday, the Donald Trump administration has given a brief outline of the New Silk Road (NSR) project focused on Afghanistan and its neighbors, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor (IPEC) linking South and Southeast Asia, raising hopes that the projects may be revived.

© AP PHOTO/ NG HAN GUAN
India Unlikely to Get NSG Membership as China Reluctant to Soften Stand


The proposal says that India would have a key role in the NSR, a public-private initiative. It said "the importance of…the NSR grows" as the transition in Afghanistan continues and the US "strives to help the Afghan people succeed and stand on their own".

Both projects will be pushed through regional collaboration and financing by bilateral and multilateral donors along with private sector participation. The NSR has the potential to bring economic growth and stability to Central Asia amid a resurgent Taliban aided by Pakistan, a concern which both the current regime in Afghanistan and India has raised.

Indian experts believe that India must not lose the big picture in central Asia, Afghanistan in particular, where Russia has emerged as a key player with its recent peace efforts, which also includes the Taliban.

"The US won't let Afghanistan easily slip away into the hands of other powers. Not only Afghanistan, even Pakistan is an important player and ally for them. The US State Department is not oblivious of developments taking place in Afghanistan, Central Asia. For India, however, it should not keep all its eggs in one basket. In the past, we thought that merely aligning with the US could solve the Taliban problem in Afghanistan. We must not ignore the role played by Russia and even China in Afghanistan," P. Stobdan, India's former ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and currently, a senior fellow at the New Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses told Sputnik.

© AFP 2017/
China, UAE Pursue Military Cooperation in Light of One Belt, One Road Initiative


The project could open a new window of cooperation between the three countries as Clinton noted in her July 2011 address in Chennai, India.

"Turkmen gas fields could help meet both Pakistan's and India's growing energy needs and provide significant transit revenues for both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tajik cotton could be turned into Indian linens. Furniture and fruit from Afghanistan could find its way to the markets of Astana or Mumbai and beyond," PTI quoted the former US Secretary of State as saying.

The NSR, however, went into cold storage during former US President Barack Obama's second stint in the Oval Office, under John Kerry's tenure as Secretary of State. The Obama presidency also faced criticism for ignoring developments like the BRICS-led New Development Bank and other major Chinese projects.

India opposes China's OBOR, as it encompasses the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through Gilgit and Baltistan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The CPEC links China's restive Xinjiang region to the southern Pakistani port of Gwadar.

India fears the port could potentially be used as a naval outpost for the Chinese military. The US plans to revive these mega-infrastructure projects comes a week after China hosted a high-profile summit on the OBOR in Beijing.

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201705241053941920-us-asia-projects-obor/

 

[StraightShooter]

Vision Document For Asia-Africa Growth Corridor Unveiled
PTI

Updated: May 24, 2017, 10:39 PM IST

The vision document for the proposed "Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)" supported by Japan and India has been unveiled on Wednesday. (File photo/AP Photo)

Gandhinagar: The vision document for the proposed "Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)" supported by Japan and India has been unveiled on Wednesday during the 52nd Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) here.

The vision document has been prepared jointly by three agencies, namely the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) New Delhi, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia(ERIA) Jakarta, and Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), Tokya.




The vision document was presented during a seminar on 'Japan-India cooperation for the development of Africa' at Mahatma Mandir in the presence of Union Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal.


On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was here to inaugurate the annual meetings of the AfDB, pushed for AAGC, a pitch coming days after China's ambitious OBOR (One Belt, One Road) initiative taking off.

The pitch came close on the heels of China launching its multi-billion dollar OBOR initiative, a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aims to connect the Eurasian landmass and Indo-Pacific maritime routes.

Modi had informed the audience that research institutes of India and Japan have come up with vision document in consultation with African think-tanks on how to take forward this growth corridor.

As per the vision document, AAGC will be based on four key pillars - Enhancing Capacity and Skills, Quality Infrastructure and Institutional Connectivity, Development and Cooperation projects and people to people partnership.

Giving insight into the document, Director General of RIS, Sachin Chaturvedi, said unlike China's OBOR initiative, AAGC was more consultative.

"You are aware about our government's position on OBOR. I would like to highlight the way we are making this process more consultative. This was one of the objection India raised when OBOR was presented with least consultations," Chaturvedi told reporters.

He said more details will emerge about the AAGC during the upcoming visit of Japanese Prime Minister to India in September this year.

As per the document, the next step is the preparation of a 'vision study' for the project, for which a Research Support Unit will be set up in RIS.

"The unit will conduct the preparation of AAGC study between 2017-18, and present it to the Government of India and Japan, and other leaders and policy makers of Asia and Africa in 2018," said the document.


http://www.news18.com/news/business...-africa-growth-corridor-unveiled-1411583.html

 

[Naara-e-Mastana]

This may fail as the main party isnt involve ( their mainland) and Chinese grip is tightening day by day on asia .

 

[StraightShooter]

India, Myanmar and the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor
BY TRIDIVESH SINGH MAINI

SEP 10, 2016
FacebookTwitterLinkedInFlipboardDigg

China’s ambitious One Belt One Road project is drawing a lot of attention due to its scale as well as strategic implications. What is often overlooked is efforts being made by other countries in the context of enhancing connectivity within Asia, Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI) may not appear to be as grand as the OBOR, but it has the ability to create not just top class infrastructure, but also enhance the level of connectivity within Asia.

Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor: Role of US, India and Myanmar

The US has also been seeking to enhance connectivity between South Asia with South East Asia and beyond, through the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor (IPEC). The project complements India’s Act East Policy, and also its desire to play a role in the Indo-Pacific. In 2015, a release by the State Department clearly highlights IPEC as an important priority for the US. Says the statement, "Complementing India’s Enhanced Look East Policy, the United States envisions an Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor that can help bridge South and Southeast Asia – where the Indian and Pacific Oceans converge and where trade has thrived for centuries’.

While the US and India are key stakeholders, other members include Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal. The US has also recently asked Sri Lanka to become part of this project

Myanmar, India’s bridge to South East Asia is a key player within this project. India and Myanmar have had a number of high level interactions with Indian Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj visited Myanmar, this was followed by Myanmar President Htin Kyaw visit to New Delhi. Amongst the key issues, there was an emphasis on accelerating the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, and upgradation of key sections of the highway. During the ASEAN Summit at Laos, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the emphasis his government is laying on robust connectivity between India and ASEAN. Significantly, the PM proposed the setting up of a Joint Task Force on connectivity to work on extension of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Aung San Suu Kyi US visit

While during the upcoming visit of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to the US, the focus is likely to be on the lifting of sanctions and key challenges which Myanmar is facing.The economic reforms being undertaken are also likely to be discussed and the US President is likely to encourage enhanced trade relations with the outside world as well as connectivity. A number of US investors are keen to invest in Myanmar, and they could benefit through Myanmar’s integration with other markets in South East Asia as well as South Asia. While IPEC may not find specific mention during their meeting the project seems to be high on the US agenda.

Only recently, Neha Desai Biswal Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs while commenting on the US role in IPEC stated:

“We see ourselves as a convener and a partner. We can help identify projects that have multiplier effects, bring all stakeholders to the table, support and catalyse the early stages of development, and provide the necessary technical support to make sure it gets done right,”

Role of India and US

All stakeholders need to play an important role. India needs to focus not just on land connectivity with Myanmar, but seamless connectivity within India itself. India needs to accord higher priority to stong maritime connectivity between Southern India and South East Asia, this can complement the current efforts to connect North Eastern India with Myanmar. Apart from physical connectivity, India also needs to integrate with the larger Asia-Pacific region by becoming part of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation). The US needs to back India’s membership a number of other countries like Australia have strongly backed the same.

For any substantial progress, the stakeholders will also have to decide the appropriate forum for IPEC. While Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh have been working jointly in BIMSTEC, it is doubtful whether this would be appropriate. A forum bereft of infighting is needed for ensuring that IPEC is successful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while India-US and other countries in ASEAN may have found common ground in the strategic sphere, there is no clarity with regard to enhanced connectivity and integration. 'The US and other key stakeholders in IPEC should not get distracted by OBOR. The thrust should be on accelerating connectivity between South Asia and South East Asia through a pragmatic vision and efficient implementation.India and Myanmar which would benefit significantly from IPEC would be advised to take the lead.

http://moderndiplomacy.eu/index.php...the-indo-pacific-economic-corridor&Itemid=869

 

[Flash_Ninja]

How exactly is this relevant to OBOR?

 

[StraightShooter]

Japan to join Iran, India in Chabahar port development
Turloch Mooney, Senior Editor, Global Ports | May 11, 2016 11:05AM EDT

Print

• 
  

The Japanese government is planning to invest in the development of a regional port and logistics hub in southeastern Iran centered on the city of Chabahar.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is hoping to reach a deal when he visits Tehran later this year that would encompass Japan teaming up with India on the development of a port, logistics and industrial complex in the free trade zone located on the Gulf of Oman.

Japan’s Ambassador to Iran, Koji Haneda, led a delegation of Japanese companies to visit port, shipbuilding and petrochemicals sites in Chabahar last year. Japan was interested in assisting with transit projects, and Japanese companies were studying the potential of investing in industries such as petrochemicals and steel, Haneda said following the visit.

"Developing marine, railroad and road transport projects in Chabahar would lay the groundwork to explore the capacities in the region. Japan pledges full cooperation with the Iranian side in implementing these projects.”

The Japan International Cooperation Agency is expected to draw up plans for investments by the end of the year after further discussions on details of infrastructure requirements with Tehran and India. Loans would be provided under official development assistance programs, Japanese media reported.

Japan sees Chabahar as a potential logistics hub for Iran, Afghanistan and resource-rich Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, which is the world's fourth-largest producer of natural gas.

Japan and Iran in February signed an investment treaty including a $10 billion debt guarantee framework to alleviate financial risks for Japanese companies that decide to do business in Iran. The treaty was signed after Japan lifted key sanctions against Iran including bans on new investments in the oil and gas sector using export credits, after the United States and European Union eased nuclear-linked sanctions against Tehran the previous month.

The treaty was signed by Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayebnia and is designed to protect investments by Japanese companies across various sectors of the Iranian economy. It is expected to accelerate these investments and has been welcomed by officials at Japanese corporations Mitsui, Itochu and Inpex.

In a follow-up to a previous memorandum of understanding, India and Iran recently said they had drawn up a draft of the proposed concession agreement under which New Delhi will invest in the modernization of infrastructure at two existing cargo berths at Chabahar on a 10-year lease, with a provision to renew the contract with mutual consent.

India set up a special-purpose company, India Ports Global Pvt. Ltd., to handle the port upgrades. The company is based on equity participation from two of the country’s major public ports of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust.

Chabahar, which is in the Sistan-Baluchistan Province, is roughly 550 nautical miles from Kandla Port and about 790 nautical miles from Mumbai. New Delhi has a strategic interest in the Chabahar port as it is easily accessed by ports on its western coast and helps gain direct access to Iran by bypassing Pakistan, a regional rival.

In a study on the feasibility of the project, the global consulting firm McKinsey said in a report to India’s Shipping Ministry that Chabahar could plug demand and production gaps for several commodities in India such as petrochemical intermediates and urea owing to its proximity to Indian ports.

Contact Turloch Mooney at turloch.mooney@ihs.com and follow him on Twitter: @TurlochMooney.


http://www.joc.com/port-news/asian-...india-chabahar-port-development_20160511.html

 

[Awan68]

In the end, asia wins

 

[StraightShooter]

US calls on Sri Lanka to join Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor
LBO
Posted on March 1, 2016 | Economy, Trade


Mar 01, 2016 (LBO) – United States called Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation on issues of regional importance through multilateral organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

“The United States encouraged Sri Lankan participation in its Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor initiative to increase economic connectivity among South Asian countries and with Southeast Asia, which is congruent with Sri Lanka’s participation in BIMSTEC and other forums,” a recent statement from Sri Lanka’s foreign office said.

The statement was issued following the inaugural US – Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue convened in Washington in February.

Economic discussions highlighted Sri Lanka’s economic priorities and joint cooperation to expand trade flows, increase foreign direct investment, and improve the overall business environment in Sri Lanka, such as fair and transparent competition practices.

Sri Lanka’s delegation appreciated the lifting of the U.S. legislative mandate against supporting Sri Lankan projects at international financial institutions and the U.S. vote in favor of a recent project at the Asian Development Bank, which will deliver 100 million US dollars to Small and Medium Enterprises.

The next Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting to be held this year should initiate deepened engagement through development of the U.S. –Sri Lanka Joint Action Plan to increase external trade and investment, the statement said.

“This Action Plan, a road map for future work under TIFA, reinforces Sri Lanka’s development strategies and fosters an increased role for foreign direct investment and external trade in Sri Lanka,”

“It also seeks to improve the competitiveness of key industries; promote new industries through innovation; and fully leverage Sri Lanka’s location and skilled workforce.”

The two sides also intend to explore during the TIFA meeting opportunities for exchanging customs information to facilitate the free flow of goods.

Both sides recognize their shared interest in clean energy development and energy security and reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation to develop and access affordable, clean renewable energy sources.

The United States also agreed to explore ways to support and assist Sri Lanka in the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Climate Action Plan, including adaptation projects.

Officials from the Millennium Challenge Corporation said they would visit Sri Lanka in March to begin discussions on Sri Lanka’s threshold program.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States looks forward to enhanced engagement with Sri Lanka and its private sector, particularly in the area of infrastructure investment, the statement added.

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/us-calls-on-sri-lanka-to-join-indo-pacific-economic-corridor/

 

[Awan68]

This China-Us rivalry in Asia reminds me of how they used to present candidates in American elections on tv back then.
"China!!! Asia's own son, the Us!!! a very nosy jealous broad that enjoys burning things..stay tuned for the debate tonight"

 

[Kabira]

India have not even invest $500m promised to Iran in Chabahar port. India cannot spare funds to invest in foreign countries.

 

[Awan68]

India have not even invest $500m promised to Iran in Chabahar port. India cannot spare funds to invest in foreign countries.

Oi tun abhi tak idhr he hai, gya nahin zameenon pe?? Mazary!!!

 

[Kabira]

Oi tun abhi tak idhr he hai, gya nahin zameenon pe?? Mazary!!!

ik gal das, kade kisi teli diya vi zameena oiya ne? ja apne peo da tail kad, time zaya karne peya

 

[cerebrum@Assasin]

Sub topi drama!!! Bakwas!!!

 

[StraightShooter]

India have not even invest $500m promised to Iran in Chabahar port. India cannot spare funds to invest in foreign countries.

Do you think India does not have funds to invest?

First phase of Chabahar ready for operation: IRNA
Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:10AM

1. Home
2. Iran
3. Economy

A general view of Chabahar port in southeast Iran


The first phase of the strategically-located Iranian port of Chabahar, subject to $850 million of investment for expansion, is ready for operation, IRNA says.

Managing Director of Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran Mohammad Saeednejad on Saturday expressed hope that the section would become operational after the presidential election in May, the news agency reported.

The expansion of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman has drawn interest from several foreign countries, notably India which seeks to gain a foothold in Iran and win access to the Central Asia and Afghanistan.

A report on Saturday said Tehran had recently proposed to New Delhi to manage the first phase of the port even as the two sides are negotiating the terms and conditions of India’s role in expanding phase two of the port.

The two countries have signed a commercial agreement, according to which India has undertaken to invest $235 million in the port.

India seeks to open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where New Delhi has developed close security ties and economic interests.

The country plans to develop two terminals and cargo berths in Chabahar under the deal which was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran last May.

India, Afghanistan and Iran separately signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor during Modi's trip that will have Chabahar as the hub.

The trilateral agreement has been described as a game changer for regional connectivity, especially for Afghanistan which will be availed with a reliable alternate access to India via sea.

Road and rail links are to be built so that Afghanistan can get access to the Iranian port. The planned north-south railroad could help Afghanistan exploit an estimated $1 trillion of untapped mineral wealth and reduce its reliance on international aid.

The three countries are about to meet in Iran in May when a summit will be held to attract investments in the Special Economic Zone of Chabahar.

India’s $235 million investment on phase two of Chabahar is about to come in two tranches: its Exim Bank would provide a credit line of $150 million, while an Indian company would invest $85 million to convert the planned berths into a container terminal and a multi-purpose cargo terminal.

Through bankrolling a connectivity hub in Chabahar, India seeks to rival the China-Pakistan partnership at Gwadar and boost its stature in the region through integrating South Asia’s economies.

However, the slow pace of the project has drawn criticism from many circles as bureaucracy has taken its sweet time and the two sides have haggled over many things, including who would pay the excise duty on the imported equipment.

Chabahar can even benefit China which has signed a raft of agreements to build terminals in some Persian Gulf Arab states across from the Iranian coast.

The port will also be able to handle large cargo ships, dispensing with the need for Iran to rely on UAE ports for off-loading goods on smaller boats, and providing a backup to the Strait of Hormuz which is vulnerable to possible disruptions.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/04/29/519862/Iran-port-development-Chabahar-India

 

[MultaniGuy]

lol, China is going to win this round. China has the upper hand.

USA is far away from Asia.

Do you think India does not have funds to invest?

First phase of Chabahar ready for operation: IRNA
Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:10AM

1. Home
2. Iran
3. Economy

A general view of Chabahar port in southeast Iran


The first phase of the strategically-located Iranian port of Chabahar, subject to $850 million of investment for expansion, is ready for operation, IRNA says.

Managing Director of Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran Mohammad Saeednejad on Saturday expressed hope that the section would become operational after the presidential election in May, the news agency reported.

The expansion of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman has drawn interest from several foreign countries, notably India which seeks to gain a foothold in Iran and win access to the Central Asia and Afghanistan.

A report on Saturday said Tehran had recently proposed to New Delhi to manage the first phase of the port even as the two sides are negotiating the terms and conditions of India’s role in expanding phase two of the port.

The two countries have signed a commercial agreement, according to which India has undertaken to invest $235 million in the port.

India seeks to open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where New Delhi has developed close security ties and economic interests.

The country plans to develop two terminals and cargo berths in Chabahar under the deal which was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran last May.

India, Afghanistan and Iran separately signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor during Modi's trip that will have Chabahar as the hub.

The trilateral agreement has been described as a game changer for regional connectivity, especially for Afghanistan which will be availed with a reliable alternate access to India via sea.

Road and rail links are to be built so that Afghanistan can get access to the Iranian port. The planned north-south railroad could help Afghanistan exploit an estimated $1 trillion of untapped mineral wealth and reduce its reliance on international aid.

The three countries are about to meet in Iran in May when a summit will be held to attract investments in the Special Economic Zone of Chabahar.

India’s $235 million investment on phase two of Chabahar is about to come in two tranches: its Exim Bank would provide a credit line of $150 million, while an Indian company would invest $85 million to convert the planned berths into a container terminal and a multi-purpose cargo terminal.

Through bankrolling a connectivity hub in Chabahar, India seeks to rival the China-Pakistan partnership at Gwadar and boost its stature in the region through integrating South Asia’s economies.

However, the slow pace of the project has drawn criticism from many circles as bureaucracy has taken its sweet time and the two sides have haggled over many things, including who would pay the excise duty on the imported equipment.

Chabahar can even benefit China which has signed a raft of agreements to build terminals in some Persian Gulf Arab states across from the Iranian coast.

The port will also be able to handle large cargo ships, dispensing with the need for Iran to rely on UAE ports for off-loading goods on smaller boats, and providing a backup to the Strait of Hormuz which is vulnerable to possible disruptions.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/04/29/519862/Iran-port-development-Chabahar-India

Go feed your toiletless hungry people first.