SCO meet: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan & Russia express 'support' for OBOR, Sushma Swaraj stays away

India has once again snubbed China's attempt to further the One Belt, One Road initiative(OBOR) after other foreign ministers gathered at theShanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) inBeijing "reaffirmed support for China's Belt and Road proposal", newswire Reuters reported.

India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj reportedly "did not express support" for the project in a communique released by the foreign ministers.

Foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan "supported" the Chinese OBORin a statement, however, there was no mention of India's view.

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The communique also supported Iran's nuclear deal.

The OBOR initiative is President Xi's major foreign policy programmewhich seeks to build a "silk route" through Asia linking Europe by train and road networkin order to pave the way for trade and commerce with China.

However, India has consistently resisted attempts by China to sign-up to OBOR with Indian authorities arguing the road network infringes on its territorial sovereignty.

Several European countries including France, UK and Germany have also raised objections to Xi's grand plans to integrate markets, arguing for a "two-way" process which would benefit all stakeholders which China has consistently reiteratedit does completely.

China has already started the project with Pakistan in the form of $57 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC), also involved Nepal, Maldives and Myanmar in the project although the OBOR plan is yet to fully takeoff in these regions.

Last year after President Xi got the approval for another term to head the country, the OBOR plan was enshrined in the constitution as a key element of Xi's vision for the future.