A Delegation from Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), UK visited CISS on November 08, 2016 and discussed the prospects of joint collaboration in research regarding the issue of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi , executive director CISS, welcomed the delegation from RUSI and apprised them of the CISS activities.
The delegation also included members from Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation which is the think tank of Ministry of Commerce in People’s Republic of China.
The participants discussed several aspects regarding the CPEC project including both external and internal drivers. Pakistani participants were of the view that India did not saw the CPEC project favorablly and its difficult to imagine how CPEC would influence the existing threat perceptions. The situation in Afghanistan is volatile and it is impossible of imagine Afghanistan connecting with CPEC in the existing circumstances.
RUSI delegation raised the the issue of governance capacity in Pakistan to handle CPEC project and hoped that domestic political players in Pakistan will resolve differences on some aspects of project. The delegate was also of the view that British government will be able to play a proactive role in diffusing regional tensions which is the key for success of CPEC project.
Ambassador Naqvi thanked the RUSI delegation and presented them souvenirs.
