he Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, is a vast infrastructure development and connectivity project aimed at linking Asia, Africa, and Europe through railways, highways, ports, and energy corridors. With investments surpassing $1.3 trillion and over 3,000 projects across 140 countries, the BRI seeks to position China at the epicenter of global trade. However, its strategic undercurrents extend beyond economics, reshaping regional geopolitics and influencing power dynamics.
For India, the BRI poses significant economic, geopolitical, and security challenges. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $62 billion flagship BRI project, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), directly violating India’s territorial sovereignty. Meanwhile, projects like the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, leased to China under debt-trap diplomacy, and the Trans-Himalayan Railway in Nepal are increasing Chinese influence in South Asia, traditionally India’s sphere of influence. Such initiatives, coupled with Beijing’s “String of Pearls” strategy, strategically encircle India with dual-use infrastructure that could serve military purposes.
India’s response to the BRI includes strategic initiatives like the Chabahar Port project and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to boost connectivity and trade. Partnerships with like-minded countries through mechanisms like the Quad and regional investments aim to counterbalance China’s expansion. However, the BRI remains a major test of India’s ability to navigate regional geopolitics, protect its interests, and preserve its influence in South Asia.
A careful mix of diplomacy, strategic alliances, and indigenous development is essential for India to address the BRI challenge effectively.
