“Doors for India are always open” China said on Tuesday, adding that it was up to India to join the Belt and Road project.
"The Belt and Road initiative is for regional peace and prosperity. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as part of the Belt and Road is not about conflicts with various countries and will not affect China's position on Kashmir issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
The remark comes as India, in a stand against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-administered Kashmir, skipped the just-ended Belt and Road forum in Beijing.
Beijing asked New Delhi to explain what it meant by "meaningful dialogue" on the Belt and Road project.
"I would like you to do me a favour. I read his (referring to India’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay’s) statement many times. He said that he is waiting for a meaningful dialogue from China and I don't know what the spokesperson is trying to say."
"What kind of dialogue is a meaningful dialogue? What kind of positive attitude does the spokesperson want China to hold?
"If they have the answer they can give me the answer in public and private."
"China has welcomed the participation of India in the Belt and Road project. Our answer is clear."
"It depends on what aspect the Indian side holds." She added.
The spokesperson said that China has always welcomed India’s participation in the OBOR initiative.
"Our position is clear that we have always welcomed India to participate in the Belt and Road initiative."
On the eve of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) forum, India issued a statement saying it cannot "accept a project that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity".
CPEC is the key artery of China's Belt and Road project that aims to connect Asia, Europe and Africa through a network of roads, railway lines and ports.
India has raised its opposition to the CPEC at the highest forums during bilateral interactions, and gave a statement regarding the concerns about the OBOR.
"We are of firm belief that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognised international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality.
"Connectivity initiatives must follow principles of financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create unsustainable debt burden for communities; balanced ecological and environmental protection and preservation standards; transparent assessment of project costs; and skill and technology transfer to help long term running and maintenance of the assets created by local communities. Connectivity projects must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity", the statement read.
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