Also, if it was only about connecting with Russia, then I am sure Russia could have put enough pressure on China to give immunity to let their goods pass through China and enter India from somewhere in the north like Akasi Chin (regardless of how the territorial dispute gets resolved). China can get transit fee and if it is about transport of hydrocarbons, then a common pipeline can be constructed and China can get some fuel supplies from the same pipeline so they have a vested interest in keeping the pipeline alive. Of course 50 cent gangs on online forum will never agree that this is possible, as according to them 'great supa dupa powa' China never compromises with anything. But it will happen if Russia wants it to happen. Somehow, it made sense for India to seek a dual purpose route to Europe as well, so this route was chosen.
I still feel that a route from Russia > China > Aksai Chin would be the safest since the US cannot attack that route inside Russia or China as both are strong nations.
It would be prudent for India to maintain a balancing act between China and US (primarily in economic terms) so that we can maintain an independent foreign policy. A trade route with minimal American influence is, therefore a welcome idea. Hence, it makes perfect sense when you talk about a Russia>China>India route. Its just that it would be Russia > Kazakhstan > China > India; with China > India via Karakorum pass and not Aksai Chin (To avoid needless procedures and complications)
Some route extensions would be:-
For India: Europe > Russia > Kazakhstan > China > India
For China: Middle East/Africa > India > China [This can be an alternative to the CPEC for China and once we improve our own infrastructure (along that route) enough to match that of CPEC, we can directly compete with the CPEC corridor]
The Chinese would definitely prefer the Indian route if we offer a less costly and more reliable alternative to CPEC. The unrest in Pakistan-Baluchistan-POK, and the corruption in various Pakistan government authorities will also help push the Chinese traffic to the Indian corridor, away form CPEC.
I know that given India-China rivalry, China would not let go of CPEC and would not let its traffic through an Indian corridor at the cost of CPEC, but in peace-time, if an Indian corridor offers better alternatives, China might as well divert some traffic to the Indian corridor, which cuts dividends for Pakistan.
This will also allow India-China trade to proceed through this corridor (and another one through Sikkim if militarily feasible). This in turn will be a fillip to J&K's economy.
If these routes are so viable and so potent, why on earth, seek a different route through the most unstable nation on earth? viz. CPEC through Pakistan.
