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Featured US, five other nations want to link South & Central Asia! Will Pakistan Choose CPEC or "APEC"?

We will pick both.

Or more precisely we will choose $$$.
Whatever brings us the most business.

US, five other nations want to link South & Central Asia

Anwar IqbalUpdated Jul 13 2020
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Observers in Washington warned that efforts to build two parallel trade routes will increase pressure on Pakistan to choose one.
WASHINGTON: The United States and five Central Asian countries have pledged to work together to “build economic and trade ties that would connect Central Asia to markets in South Asia and Europe.”

In a joint statement issued in Washington this week, they also expressed strong support for efforts to peacefully resolve the situation in Afghanistan which, the Americans believe, would create opportunities for the economic integration of South and Central Asian regions.


The New York Times reported on Sunday that Iran and China also have drafted a joint plan to integrate the two regions. They are creating “a sweeping economic and security partnership that would clear the way for billions of dollars of Chinese investments in Iran,” the report added.

The Times, which has obtained a copy of the deal, reported that the Chinese investment in Iran would total $400 billion over 25 years.

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The deal would “undercut the Trump administration’s efforts to isolate the Iranian government” and “would vastly expand” China’s presence in the region, the report added. The two countries would jointly build a network of telecommunications, ports, railways and roads that would enhance China’s access to markets in the Middle East and Europe.

Diplomatic observers in Washington say that both the United States and China see huge economic prospects in the South and Central Asian regions and want to have a controlling share in the trade routes that their integration may open.

Read: What does the future of regional trade in South Asia look like?

At the inaugural meeting of a trilateral forum in late May, the United States, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan also reviewed projects that could bring prosperity to the entire region by linking South and Central Asia.

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A joint statement issued after their meeting, underlined the need to build railway links between Central Asia and Pakistan and a gas pipeline that goes all the way to India via Pakistan.

Observers in Washington warned that efforts to build two parallel trade routes will increase pressure on Pakistan to choose one. They argued that China would want Pakistan to join its economic pact with Iran while the Americans would like Islamabad to back their efforts to connect South and Central Asia.

To promote its plans for the two regions, Washington has created a group called C5+1, which includes the United States, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

They also have formed a working group to consider cooperation opportunities in developing the transit potential of Afghanistan, including exploring opportunities for funding from international financial institutions of large projects.

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The participants discussed various options to “build economic resilience and further strengthen security and stability” in Central Asia and the wider region.

The US Development Finance Corporation, the US Export-Import Bank, and the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will provide financial assistance for projects in the region.

The C5+1 Security Working Group will “promote secure and effective borders” as well, to allow free flow of goods and to prevent the trafficking of persons and illicit goods, nuclear and radiological safety. The group would also increase regional cooperation on border security.

The Security Working Group will discuss countering violent extremism, combatting online recruitment activities by terrorist networks, and holding joint and regional counter-terrorism training.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2020
 
What has caused you to make these accusations? Where is the CREDIBLE, genuine and reliable evidence that confirms and proves theses accusations as being true?

Your own government report say this not us
Btw some so called credible sources confirming that you people have been fooled and duped by your Chinese investors

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/231466-Two-major-characters-of-Chinese-companys-fraud-apprehended

https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/pakistan-discovers-the-high-cost-of-chinese-investment/
 
Your own government report say this not us
Btw some so called credible sources confirming that you people have been fooled and duped by your Chinese investors

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/231466-Two-major-characters-of-Chinese-companys-fraud-apprehended

https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/pakistan-discovers-the-high-cost-of-chinese-investment/





The above are opinion pieces not factual evidence. Also, none of the above authors have cross-referenced their assertions with evidence or facts. They are at best speculative. Notice how in the first article, the author states "from well placed sources" but doesn't elaborate or confirm those sources with ANY evidence or facts.
 
APEC I'm fairly certain is just for show. America has no money to create some huge economic project to rival CPEC ... that is entirely out of the question. Plus, Trump and his state department aren't exactly Nixons and Kissingers with respect to foreign policy. You are talking about an administration that withdrew from the TPP, which was the one really good chance to counter China economically through an economic alliance ... rather than a self destructive trade war.
 
The above are opinion pieces not factual evidence. Also, none of the above authors have cross-referenced their assertions with evidence or facts. They are at best speculative. Notice how in the first article, the author states "from well placed sources" but doesn't elaborate or confirm those sources with ANY evidence or facts.

great, getting robbed and asking forrfor evidence from others. We want more people like you in pakistan with their heads inside sand. That will speed up the collapse of the Pakistani state.
 
Does anyone have option to connect central asia without China or Pakistan being involved? They have to include atleast one of these two countries if they want the cheapest route otherwise they are welcome to go through long routes.
 
great, getting robbed and asking forrfor evidence from others. We want more people like you in pakistan with their heads inside sand. That will speed up the collapse of the Pakistani state.






Hold on, WHO is getting robbed and where and when did this happen? Provide the evidence. Don't keep spewing your personal opinions and what YOU hope is true. We need the facts.

If opinions count then when I was in Pakistan last December (2019), I saw huge world class infrastructure projects going on all over Pakistan and minimal loadshedding that was barely 40 mins a day. Some days there was absolutely none. A first in our history. The living standard of poor Pakistanis has definitely improved since 2015 when CPEC started, as well as the improvements in public transport. This was all due thanks to CPEC.
 
we should invite any economy boosting model .... be it CPEC or APEC or TAPI ..... but be aware of enemie's designs ..... APEC should be judged on its own merits and if it is beneficial it should and must be adopted ..... hatred towards america can not be justified as a reason to not adopt APEC ..... if we can benefit and in response we give them benefit (only if we can afford it in terms of security and other dimensions) then no issues in going along with it ..... but it should be a very well aware decision in which we should weight what is being offered, what is taken, what is given and what is hidden ...... my 2 cents...
 
We should welcome trade no matter where it is coming from as long as they pay us. CPEC is bringing investment and if APEC does the same no strings attached then they are welcome otherwise they can fck off.
 
You kidding, right?

Pakistan and India are not on good terms lately. Does not take a genius to figure out this much.

CPEC is advancing at reasonable pace. There are official updates in relation.
Sir, currently we might be not in talking terms... We don't know about future.. Just yesterday only Afg to Ind via Pak is opened.... May peace prevail...

The above are opinion pieces not factual evidence. Also, none of the above authors have cross-referenced their assertions with evidence or facts. They are at best speculative. Notice how in the first article, the author states "from well placed sources" but doesn't elaborate or confirm those sources with ANY evidence or facts.

Ok... What is final per unit cost that Pak pay to purchase power from company built under CPEC...
 
We don't need US to talk with our brotherly nations in Central Asia.

TAP is a matter of course. Afghanistan and Pakistan will both benefit immensely. Turkmenistan has another route for oil export.
 

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