In an indirect reference to China, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said on Friday that countries must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity while pushing for growth and connectivity. The FS was speaking at an event on "Consultation on Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC): The Way Forward" organised by Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
Talking about the vision document of the AAGC that was released at the African Development Bank meeting in May this year the FS said growth and connectivity initiatives are truly globally owned only when they emerge from a broad consultative process.
"As we set about fashioning the AAGC, it is only natural that it would reflect how we each look at the world. Today, there is much common ground among the nations of the region and it is that shared perspective that brings us together in this joint endeavour. We would naturally like the initiative to be based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality.
"There must be a strong sense of local ownership that can only happen with consultative project designing, transfer of technology and encouragement of skills. No less important is ensuring of financial responsibility, so that there is no encouragement of unsustainable debts. Our activities must fully conform to balanced ecological and environmental protection and preservation standards. And, I am compelled to add, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the FS said in his speech.
India had opposed the Belt Road Initiative by China on the grounds that it ignores its core concerns of sovereignty and territorial integrity. BRI has a component of CPEC that passes through Gilgit-Baltisan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir which India has protested saying the area is part of India.
The FS added that growth and connectivity are central to India's present foreign policy thinking. "The approach of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' (collective action, inclusive growth) is as much a belief in international relations as it is in domestic development. It is already being reflected vigorously in our Neighbourhood First policy. In the last three years, new energies and additional resources have been devoted to ensuring that our immediate neighbours are also beneficiaries of our growth story," he said.