Connectivity of CPEC with Afghanistan and its Implications for the Region

Abstract

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would span a distance of 2700
km and link the Chinese city of Kashgar with Pakistan's deep-sea port of Gwadar in
Baluchistan, bordering Afghanistan, is the centerpiece project of Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI). Due to its political, economic, and security interests in Afghanistan,
China has a great interest to connect CPEC with Afghanistan. The regional states will
have great economic opportunities in this connectivity. CPEC project is a blessing for
the whole region especially for landlocked central Asian countries and Afghanistan.
Furthermore, it will promote regional integration, which will increase trade and
economic activity within the region. This study tries to examine CPEC's connectivity
with Afghanistan and its implications for the area while keeping in mind how
significant it is. In this study, both descriptive and analytical approaches have been
used. The current study is qualitative in nature and secondary sources have been used
for the completion of this research paper. This study came to the conclusion that CPEC's
link with Afghanistan is crucial and will support the local economy.