Context:

=> Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Singh Rawat delivered a speech in Guwahati on the topic Assam at Crossroads – Geopolitical Events in its Neighbourhood Impacting Northeast India’.

Key points of his speech

=> China has ambitions of becoming a global superpower.

=> Thus it is making deep inroads in South Asia and the Indian Ocean through infrastructure projects.

=> China has strengthened its foothold in India’s neighbours – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

=> He did not took name of any particular project of China but he was referring to Belt and Road initiative of China.

Belt and Road initiative:

=> By 21st century , when China emerged as major competitor of the US.

=> It realised its major weakness - Malacca dilemma.

What is Malacca dilemma of China?

=> In 2003 Chinese President Hu Jintao identified that China’s 80% of their energy needs(oil imports) coming from the Middle East passes through Malacca Straits(between Malaysia and Indonesia).

=> Countries around strait of Malacca are pro US.

=> So the US and India may choke China’s access through Malacca strait.

=> This will lead to energy crisis in China.

What was China’s response to Malacca dilemma?

Belt and Road Initiative

=> BRI project of China is massive infrastructure project started in 2013.

=> Under it China is building road, railways, pipeline,ports.

=> Objective- To connect Asia, Africa and Europe.

=> This is expected to boost trade amongst the countries of Asia, Africa and Europe.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor:

=> It is a $62 billion project.

=> It connects Xinjiang province of China with Gwadar port of Pakistan.

=> It gives direct accessibility to Chinese Navy to Arabian Sea. Sovereignty challenge for India

=> CPEC is moving through PoK. China has built it without consulting India. This challenges India’s sovereignty.

India’s stand on BRI:

=> More than 70 countries of Africa, Europe and Asia have joined BRI .

=> China is giving them loan to build road, ports, pipelines in their countries.

=> But India has not joined BRI .

Why India has not joined BRI?

1. Sovereignty challenge- CPEC is moving through PoK. China has built it without consulting India. This challenges India’s sovereignty.

2. Debt Trap- China gives loan on very hard terms. So if India joins OBOR then it may fall into debt trap like Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

3. Security Threat-

• Amongst the security experts across the world there is a notion that China is encircling India under BRI.
• They have named it “ string of pearls” around India.
• Though China always claims that Belt and Road initiative has only economic motive but experts believe there are some strategic goals of China also involved.