Turkey is invited to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor by the Pakistani PM

While India continues to oppose the projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended an invitation to Turkey to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

During his visit to Ankara, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made this suggestion at a press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"I would propose that China, Pakistan, and Turkey work together on this. This would be a fantastic joint effort... This is how we can overcome today's challenges "According to a quote from Sharif in the Dawn newspaper. 

If Turkey pushed forward with the concept of joining CPEC, PM Sharif reportedly stated that he would be "glad" to discuss the topic with the Chinese leadership.

This development comes a few weeks after Pakistan and China decided to move through with a proposal to expand CPEC to Afghanistan in the face of resistance from India over concerns with territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an ambitious project by China aimed at reviving the nation's historic trade routes, includes CPEC as a key component. India has consistently opposed the USD 60 billion project that runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and connects China's Xinjiang to Pakistan's Gwadar port in Balochistan.The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an ambitious project by China aimed at reviving the nation's historic trade routes, includes CPEC as a crucial component. India has persistently opposed the USD 60 billion project that runs across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and connects China's Xinjiang to Pakistan's Gwadar port in Balochistan. Pakistan received assurances from China that the country would continue to support Pakistan's sustainable economic and strategic projects during Sharif's official visit to Beijing earlier this month. "The two sides emphasised the necessity of the international community continuing to support and aid Afghanistan, especially by unfreezing its abroad financial assets. The two parties concurred to maintain their financial and humanitarian support for the Afghan people and to increase development cooperation there, particularly by extending CPEC to Afghanistan "In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated.

India vehemently protested to the expansion of the CPEC projects in any third country and raised worry for its sovereignty and territorial integrity when rumours of their extension surfaced in July. "There have been reports about increasing third-country participation in so-called CPEC projects. Any such activities by any entity directly violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India "Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry, had stated.

He declared that projects in the so-called CPEC, which are on Indian soil that Pakistan has illegally occupied, are something that India vehemently and persistently rejects.