Reacting to Russia's call asking India to find a way out to join China-backed One Belt One Road (OBOR) connectivity initiative, the Ministry of External Affairs today said that New Delhi “was willing to look at any suggestion if its sensitivities are taken into account”.
"On this particular suggestion, also I think I have mentioned in the past that if there are suggestions, if there is a view which takes into account our sensitivities in the matter then there is something which we are willing to look at," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
Kumar reiterated that India's position on OBOR is "very clear".
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had pitched for India joining the project, hoping that New Delhi will find a way out to benefit from the mega project without sacrificing its position over it.
"The specific problem in this regard should not make everything else conditional for resolving political differences," Lavrov had said.
India has opposed the OBOR due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). CPEC is part of the OBOR.
Asked about Lavrov's comment during an interactive session at a think tank that all stakeholders including Taliban should be part of political dialogue in Afghanistan, Kumar said India supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-controlled and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in that country.
"We support the reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which are Afghan led, Afghan controlled and Afghan owned. We have enjoyed a close association with the country and we are committed to assist Afghanistan in its nation building efforts," the spokesperson said.
With PTI Inputs
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