The Peoples' Republic of China is leaning on the government of Antigua & Barbuda to convince the members of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, to oppose the promotion of INDIA to Permanent Membership in the Security Council of the United Nations. India has been lobbying to join the five permanent members of the Security Council, and is seeking a united CARICOM endorsement among the states of the Eastern Caribbean. We have. learned that China has made veiled threats of consequences, should the government of Antigua not assist its campaign to deny the seat to India. China is the only Asian nation with a permanent seat; all the other four permanent members have supported India for the seat; only China opposes this action.
China has invested, through aid or loans, close to one billion dollars (USD$1bn) in Antigua, and is currently constructing a special enclave there, on land previously protected for environmental reasons, which will function as an autonomous state-within-a-state, not governed by Antiguan law.
China has also sought to influence the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Grenada, to oppose India's bid for a permanent SC seat. Both EC countries have a close diplomatic relationship with China, and have financial benefitted from those ties , through Chinese construction projects of a hospital and a national stadium.
India has strengthened its ties to the Eastern Caribbean states in recent years, through high-level engagements by its senior leaders, and developmental assistance and is actively lobbying for SC permanent membership, making it the country's highest priority. Will China's undue influence in the Caribbean quash India's chances to sit on the Security Council?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.