GS2 (India’s neighbourhood)
China’s rising influence in India’s neighbourhood requires India to play a more active role in South Asia. Discuss the statement in the context of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR) initiative.
Best answer
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One of the flagship programmes of the Chinese foreign policy is the OBOR initiative which stands to revive the ancient SILK ROUTE ,thus aiming at:
1. Infrastructure in the region.
2. Better Diplomatic relations
3. People to people contact(e.g. to eliminate insurgency in North west China)
4. Undermine US and Russian influence in the region.(US’s PIVOT TO ASIA doctrine)
That China has expanded her influence from the energy rich Central Asia to Maldives in the Indian Ocean is a cause for concern:
1.China’s increasing engagements with India’s neighbours might shed India’s BIG BROTHER IMAGE
2. Increasing activities in the Indian Ocean is a strategic intrusion in India’s own backyard.
3. CPEC corridor passes through PoK-making China a party in the strained bilateral issue of Kashmir.
4. Chinese presence in the Central Asia(e.g. via railway network) might threaten India’s energy security.
5. Chinese hunger for new markets might dampen Indian exports.
WAY FORWARD for INDIA:
1. Broader engagement with the neighbours(initiatives like BBIN,Chabhar port,investments in Sri Lanka).
2. PROJECT MAUSAM, SPICE ROUTE initiatives should sped up.
3. International fora where India participates like IORA,SAARC,Arab Leagues etc. should be more in spirit than in letter.
4. LOOK WEST Policy can be on the similar lines of the successful LOOK EAST POLICY.
It is imperative India,being a growing superpower needs to take a bigger role in the global politics and securing her own interests.
