[ Ripi Bagra ]
India has opted out of the recently held Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) summit. India did not attend the summit in 2017 and 2019, either, having raised concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and is helmed under the BRI.
The BRI, China’s monumental infrastructure development project, has garnered global attention since its inception in 2013. This ambitious initiative aims to connect China with the world through a vast network of roads, railways, ports, and pipelines. However, it also has profound implications for India, a key regional player. The BRI encompasses two main components – the Silk Road Economic Belt, which traverses overland routes through Asia and Europe, and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road connecting China to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe via sea routes. The initiative spans multiple countries, involving infrastructure projects, trade, and economic cooperation.
One of the foremost implications of the BRI for India is the geopolitical challenges it presents. China’s infrastructure projects under the BRI, mainly the CPEC, raise significant geopolitical concerns for India. The CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a region India claims as its own, intensifying the border dispute and India’s sovereignty concerns. The BRI provides financial incentives and low-interest loans to countries for infrastructure development. This can potentially undercut Indian influence in South Asia and create competition for India’s economic partners in the region.
China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region, facilitated by the BRI, is perceived by India as a security threat. As a result, India has increased its vigilance in safeguarding its maritime interests and asserting its presence in the region.
Despite its concerns, India recognises the potential benefits of the BRI, particularly in improving connectivity, which could stimulate trade and economic growth in India’s northeastern states, some of which are geographically isolated. India’s approach to the BRI has been nuanced. It selectively participates in specific BRI projects, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor, when they align with its national interests. This approach allows India to engage with the region diplomatically while safeguarding its strategic concerns.
Furthermore, the environmental and social impacts of the BRI projects are raising concerns. Large-scale infrastructure development can have far-reaching ecological consequences and potentially threaten human rights and sustainable development in project areas.
In conclusion, the BRI presents a multifaceted challenge for India, encompassing geopolitical, economic, and security dimensions. India must adopt a strategic and flexible approach to navigate these complexities, leveraging opportunities while mitigating threats.
By engaging with China and the broader region, India can assert its interests and promote cooperation that fosters mutual development and stability in South Asia and beyond. India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies provide a framework for this engagement, emphasising the significance of diplomacy and regional partnership in managing the impact of the BRI on India. (The contributor is a PhD candidate from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
