Indian Opposition to Chinese Belt and Road Initiative: Response, Rationale and Action

Abstract

China’s massive initiative of the Belt and Road (BRI) is a gigantic leap that is aiming to connect world’s 65% population, 30% of global G.D.P and about sixty eight countries that have signed on to be part of this mega project. The China Development Bank has estimated 900 projects that are worth more than a trillion dollars, underway to accomplish dream of 21st century New Silk Road. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the flagship project of BRI, heralded as game changer that will bring prosperity to Pakistan and will turn Gwadar into an economic hub between Africa, West-Asia and South Asia. India opposed China’s BRI as well as CPEC to neutralize China’s regional and global influence. Modi has shifted from India’s Look East to Act-East Policy and introduced Mausam and SAGAR projects to counterweight BRI. This paper unfolds reasons of India opposition to BRI as well CPEC by providing readers insights about various Indian foreign policy goals. This paper is an analysis of China’s BRI and India’s response to contain it. It also highlights the challenges that CPEC is facing due to India intensive diplomatic maneuvers to impede it. The BRI is set to transform China from civilization state to a western style nation state.