India irked over Russia's plan to join CPEC

India has conveyed to Russia its unease over Moscow’s purported “secret talks” with Islamabad to explore possibility of its joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

New Delhi conveyed to Moscow through diplomatic channels that it was opposed to the proposed CPEC as it would include areas that were part of Jammu and Kashmir and some areas that were under illegal occupation of Islamabad.

It also made clear that given the traditional friendly relations between India and Russia, New Delhi would expect Moscow not to be oblivious of its sensitivity, sources told the DH.

Moscow, however, told New Delhi that though Russia was keen to step up its engagements with Pakistan, it had not yet discussed with Islamabad the possibility of joining the CPEC.

“Reports appearing in Pakistan’s media about some 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of the CPEC do not correspond to the realities. The possibility of Russia joining this initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian government issued a statement on Tuesday, apparently after New Delhi conveyed its concerns to Moscow.

This is not the first time that New Delhi frowned over Russia’s growing ties with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier this year told Russian president Vladimir Putin to “reflect upon” New Delhi’s concerns over Moscow's growing defence cooperation with Pakistan.

What raised hackles in New Delhi this time are reports appearing in some newspapers published in Pakistan about “secret talks” between Moscow and Islamabad over Russia joining the CPEC.