BRI
AND INDIA – INTERNATIONAL
News: India likely to skip China’s BRI
summit
What's
in the news?
●
India is likely to skip China’s third
summit marking President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),
which will be held on October 17 in the Chinese capital.
Key
takeaways:
●
India did not attend the summits in 2017
and 2019, having raised concerns about the BRI.
Belt
and Road Initiative:
●
BRI, consisting of the land-based belt,
‘Silk Road Economic Belt’, and ‘Maritime Silk Road’, aims to connect the East
Asian economic region with the European economic circle and runs across the
continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.
●
BRI is China’s ambitious project announced
in 2013.
●
It covers about 65% of the world
population, 60% of the world GDP and over 70 countries in six economic
corridors.
●
China is spending almost $1 trillion to
revive and renew the overland and maritime trade links between China, Europe,
West Asia, and East Africa through construction of modern ports linked to
high-speed road and rail corridors.
India's
Opposition:
●
India has opposed the BRI and did not
attend the 2017 BRI Summit held in Beijing.
●
It cited issues of sovereignty,
transparency and unilateral decision making.
Reasons
for India's Opposition:
1.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC):
●
The main reason for India’s opposition to
the BRI is the CPEC which is a flagship programme of the BRI
●
The CPEC passes through Pakistan-Occupied
Kashmir (Gilgit-Baltistan).
●
As both India and Pakistan claim all of
Kashmir, the area is considered a disputed territory by India. According to
India, it undermines India’s strategic interests and territorial integrity.
2.
Unilateral Decision:
●
India has alleged that China has taken
unilateral decisions. There has been lack of consultations with India before
the launch of BRI.
3.
Transparency issues:
●
India has highlighted the importance of
openness and transparency.
●
According to India, mutual agreements on
infrastructure projects should be transparent and debt repayments be made
easier for recipient countries
4.
Concern over China’s expanding presence in neighbouring countries and Indian
Ocean:
●
China’s port development projects in the
Indian Ocean raises security concerns for India.
●
Increasing Chinese presence in Nepal,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar has raised concerns for India. For India, BRI
seems driven by large geopolitical aims.
Advantages
for India if joined BRI:
●
Direct access to Afghanistan and Central
Asia
●
Economic benefits - Boost to trade,
investment and business engagement.
●
Security - Development in Gilgit-
Baltistan area would help to curb security threats.
●
Energy - BRI is expected to normalize
India-Pakistan ties.
●
Improve Indo-China ties - India and China
may cooperate at many global fronts.
●
All neighbouring countries (except Bhutan)
and other countries from SE Asia, Central Asia have joined BRI. Thus, not
joining BRI may lead to isolation of India
●
Many geopolitical issues and differences
can be resolved through economic integration.
WAY
FORWARD:
1.
Participatory Alternatives:
●
Alternative projects that are likewise
participatory must be started by more developed nations while taking the
host/recipient countries interests into consideration.
●
The project's success is not guaranteed if
there is no relationship with the host nation.
2.
Alternative Funding Sources:
●
Alternative funding sources, such as the
G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Intelligence's $600 billion
initiative, must be considered for these connectivity projects.
●
Additionally, more reputable financial
institutions will be requested to offer support in these matters.
3.
India's Role:
●
In order to provide its neighbours with
other connectivity options, India will need to coordinate with its regional
allies.
4.
Connectivity:
●
Connectivity is becoming more and more
recognized as a tool for influencing foreign policy.
●
With India taking the initiative to
improve connectivity, China will have a new arena in which to compete
geopolitically in South Asia and the Indian Ocean.
5.
Cooperation with Nations:
●
India's independence in South Asia and the
wider Indian Ocean is constrained.
●
To build and modernize its infrastructure
and develop an alternative to connectivity corridors and infrastructure
projects led by China, it must occasionally ask for assistance from partners
like Japan.
●
Technically advanced nations with some
presence in the region include Australia, France, Germany, the UK and the
United States.
6.
Diplomatic manoeuvring:
●
Implementing India's interests in the area
and using the region as a foundation for a multipolar world order both require
effective diplomatic manoeuvring and economic and military assertion.
●
According to India, the Indo-Pacific
region should be managed collaboratively by other like-minded nations in order
to avoid any single force from dominating the area or its waterways.