Q.470 Chinese plan to build railway link with Pakistan

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of the reports that China is planning to build a railway link to Pakistan across the Karakoram range;
(b) whether this railway link would cut through the Gilgit-Baltistan Region which is part of the original State of Jammu and Kashmir and would be used by the Chinese to reach the Arabian Sea from the Gwadar port in Pakistan; and
(c) whether the proposed Pak-Chinese railway link would have serious security and strategic implications for India?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S. M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (c) Government has seen reports regarding this matter. Government’s consistent position is that Pakistan has been in illegal occupation of parts of the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir since 1947. Government has conveyed to the Chinese side its concerns about their activities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), and asked them to cease such activities. Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s national interest and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220116281.

Rajya Sabha