Regional Connectivity and Inclusion of New Partners in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract This paper examines the potential of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for shared prosperity and economic development through enhanced regional connectivity. It argues that CPEC can act as a regional connector for South Asian and Middle Eastern states by bringing enormous economic and trade opportunities. Having examined the potential utilisation of CPEC as a regional connector in contextualising the Pakistan-China shared consensus for the inclusion of new partners, this paper investigates the areas of regional connectivity cooperation and cross-border linkages with India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, and highlights the prospects and challenges to CPEC for mutual collaboration and expanded regionalisation.