China’s Belt & Road initiative with likely implications for India & the world – Times of India

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BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by China in 2013 with an aim to enhance China’s influence by linking South-East Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.

CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Baluchistan with China’s Xinjiang province is the flagship project of BRI. India has been objecting to CPEC as it is being laid through POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir).

China’s ambitious BRI, linking Asia and Africa with Europe through a network of various transportation corridors, it is feared, could fundamentally reshape the geoeconomics and geopolitics of the whole Eurasian region and beyond. These developments particularly are believed to have huge implications for India.

India’s concerns about BRI

India’s concerns about BRI are needed to be understood in the broader context of India–China relations. Since both are rising powers in the Asian region of the world, there are bound to be tensions. One of the main sources of this tension between the two being their shared but disputed border.

In 1993, an agreement on maintenance of peace and tranquillity along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) was signed between the two followed by 19 rounds of talks on the boundary dispute. Although incidents of Chinese troops crossing over to Indian territory have been quite common, in the past, both governments played down these incidents till the 2017 military standoff at Doklam & later the Galwan River valley clashes in 2020, which further spoiled the relations between the two countries.

New Delhi believes that China has transferred nuclear and missile technology to Pakistan confining India to South Asia. India is aware that no single power, not even the U.S. can counterbalance China’s power and influence on its own. Hence, a strong push towards strengthening further her ties with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) involving USA, Japan, Australia, and India is considered vital for India.

The Indian government’s position on the BRI has been consistent since the initiative was launched in 2013. The MEA had repeatedly reiterated its stand through various official statements issued at different intervals. It can also be made out from the speeches made by the Indian Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister on various occasions. The government has also clearly opposed CPEC activities & the BRI initiative on the floor of the Parliament.

The position of the Indian government can be summarised as follows:

The Indian Government firmly believes that connectivity initiatives must be based on the universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency, and equality, and must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India is of the opinion that the inclusion of the so-called CPEC which passes through parts of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan as a flagship project of BRI, reflects lack of appreciation of India’s concerns on the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Earlier, in 2015, the then Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar had categorically stated that, as far as India is concerned, BRI is a Chinese national initiative. The Chinese devised it, created a blueprint and it has been devised with Chinese national interests in mind.

In the background of growing debate on BRI, and India’s own plans of regional connectivity, the 2016 Raisina Dialogue had focussed on Asian connectivity. Although government officials did not mention BRI, it was clear what was being discussed. At the dialogue, the then Indian External Affairs Minister late Sushma Swaraj had underlined the importance of cooperative rather than unilateral approach to connectivity. She had underlined the need for creating an environment of trust and confidence, as a prerequisite for a more interconnected world.

The same position was repeated in 2018 when India participated for the first time as a full member of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation). It was then expected that India might soften its stand on BRI. On the contrary, India was the only member country that did not endorse the BRI project. At the summit, Prime Minister Modi asserted that India welcomes new connectivity projects that are inclusive, sustainable, and transparent and respect countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the Joint Declaration of the recently held SCO also India did not support BRI, ostensibly as it violates India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as the CPEC passes through POK.

Concerns over implications of China’s BRI Project for the International community

China’s muscular and aggressive foreign policy and continued integration of the military and civilian sectors has given rise to increasing concerns within the international community. It feels that there is more than what meets the eye when it comes to certain BRI investments. Washington, Tokyo, and other countries have increasingly raised alarm over Beijing’s ulterior motives & dual commercial and military capabilities and strategic implications of BRI projects.

China’s rapid military modernization program, the increasing assertiveness of its navy and air force and its apparently insatiable appetite for ports worldwide, have heightened the West’s concern about the BRI’s role in China’s security strategy.

Real Intention of China behind BRI in view of the Experts

Despite its branding as an economic and development initiative, according to experts BRI is in fact the embodiment of efforts of the Chinese government to develop close coordination between military struggle and political, diplomatic, economic, cultural, and legal endeavours to foster a strategic environment conducive to China’s rise. Integrating the civilian and military sectors is a pillar of China’s defence policy strategic framework, believe experts.

Sensing this, in the Joint Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of SCO hosted by India recently, India did not support China’s Belt and Road Initiative, ostensibly as it violates India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through POK.

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