India’s decision to boycott China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) forum was prompted by territorial and security concerns. India boycotting April’s BRI summit marked the second time when New Delhi has decided to boycott the summit over Beijing’s mega-project in last two years.
Indian envoy to China Vikram Misri was quoted by The New Indian Express as saying, “We feel that the infrastructure connectivity should be aligned with national priorities and should respect and follow certain well-respected or broadly accepted (norms) in the world, which include the elements of transparency openness, a level playing field, social, environmental and financial sustainability.”
The envoy added initiatives which India attends “must be aligned with national priorities”, according to Sputnik news reports.
Misri, however, further continued explaining the reason for boycotting BRI summit for the second time, stating these initiatives “can be sustainable and successful only in so far as they respect issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
He also stressed that his country’s absence at the BRI summit had not affected any trade ties with Beijing.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes
Also read: World leaders gather in Beijing for 2nd ‘Belt and Road’ forum; India boycotts
Top-level leaders across the world have gathered in Beijing on April 26 ahead of the beginning of the second summit of China’s BRI Forum for the international corporation, however, India has for the second time decided to boycott China’s BRI forum, which is likely to be attended by the representatives and leaders of 37 nations.