‘CPEC to bring socio-economic uplift in region’

Islamabad : Defence expert Maj Gen (r) Samrez Salik has said that Gwadar Port is the linchpin of CPEC and its full operationalisation could be a game-changer for China's global connectivity.

Dr Salik was giving a talk on ‘Security challenges to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’ hosted here by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). He highlighted BRI as a source of hope for developing nations, emphasising how China’s rise is poised to bring about a new wave of prosperity and development. He also elaborated on the significance of CPEC within broader framework of BRI noting its potential to serve as a cornerstone for enhancing connectivity between China and the rest of the world. He provided analysis of the evolving regional security dynamics, linking it with the concept of ‘Thucydides Trap.’ He explained how the rise of new powers often leads to friction with established powers, and how the development of CPEC may have broader implications for global power shifts.

Jauhar Saleem, president, IRS, underscored the significance of CPEC’s next phase and highlighted how the project could serve as a path to socio-economic development and offer a geopolitical opportunity to help build peace in South Asia. He also underpinned the role of the media in shaping narratives around CPEC, stressing the importance of countering misperception created by the Indian media.