(a) whether the Union Government is aware that Sri Lanka has accepted China’s Maritime Silk Road proposal which connects the Pacific and Indian Ocean and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether China has also extended and invited India to join this project; and
(c) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard alongwith the action taken/proposed to be taken on this proposal/invitation?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) Government has seen the “Plan of Action of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China to Deepen the Strategic Cooperative Partnership” signed by the two Foreign Ministers which says, “Sri Lanka welcomes and supports the proposal put forward by China to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and will actively participate and cooperate in this initiative”.
(b) & (c) The Government of India has noted the new Chinese initiative of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The ancient trade routes in Asia included the Silk Route, the Spice Route and many other such routes. These were the channels of vibrant trade in the region and beyond as also anchor of Asia’s prosperity. They promoted exchange of ideas, cultures, art, religion and spiritualism. India, historically was at the centre of several of these trade routes and shared its age-old wisdom with societies along these routes.