India has rejected China’s latest overture to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has said that it won’t take sides in the ongoing trade dispute between Beijing and Washington. But Beijing has continued its attempt to convince India to join the BRI, realising New Delhi’s prominence in the region and potential of its massive market. Kumar recalled the US and Japanese trade war in late 1980 when Washington successfully pressured Japan to cut the trade deficit. “I don’t think anybody is interested in trade war trade crisis,” he said. While the BCIM is officially one of the six major economic corridors under the BRI, India says it predates the project.

Source: Hindustan Times April 15, 2018 12:54 UTC