Introduction
There is no doubt that China’s growing influence and military assertiveness in the region have raised concerns among many countries in South Asia, including India and its neighbours. China’s expanding economic, political, and military power in the area is viewed by many as a challenge to the traditional dominance of the United States and its allies in the region.
Threat Analysis
In recent years, China has been aggressively pursuing its “One Belt, One Road” initiative, which aims to connect China to Europe and Africa through a network of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure projects. This initiative has led to China investing heavily in many countries in South Asia, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. This has caused concerns in India, which sees this as a way for China to encircle it and gain strategic influence in the region.
Furthermore, China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its ongoing border dispute with India in the Himalayas have also increased tensions between China and its neighbours. These disputes have led to military standoffs and confrontations between Chinese and Indian troops, which have resulted in casualties on both sides.
While China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region pose a challenge to many countries in South Asia, it is crucial to find ways to manage these tensions through diplomatic channels and dialogue peacefully.
Debt Trap
China’s increasing economic, political, and military power in South Asia has raised concerns among many countries, particularly India and its neighbours. China’s growing influence and assertiveness are viewed by many as a challenge to the traditional dominance of the United States and its allies in the region (Brewster, 2020).
China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, which seeks to build infrastructure and establish trade routes connecting China to Europe and Africa, has led to significant investment in many countries in South Asia, including Pakistan,
Refernces
Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh (Kugelman, 2020). This has caused concern in India, which sees this as a way for China to encircle it and gain strategic influence in the region (Dai, 2018).
China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its ongoing border dispute with India in the Himalayas have also increased regional tensions. These disputes have led to military standoffs and confrontations between Chinese and Indian troops, resulting in casualties on both sides (Blanchard & Mares, 2020).
Despite these challenges, countries in the region must find ways to manage tensions with China peacefully. Diplomatic channels and dialogue can help to prevent conflicts and promote cooperation between China and its neighbours in South Asia (Tucker, 2020).
References:
Blanchard, J. M., & Mares, M. (2020). China-India Tensions in the Himalayas. Congressional Research Service.
Brewster, D. (2020). How China is Using Covid-19 to Extend its Strategic Reach in South Asia. The Diplomat.
Dai, X. (2018). China and India in Central Asia: A New “Great Game”? Journal of Contemporary China, 27(111), 1-15.
Kugelman, M. (2020). China’s Belt and Road in South Asia: Rethinking the Regional Politics of China’s Rise. Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, 7(1), 65-77.
Tucker, E. (2020). Managing Sino-Indian Tensions: How the United States Can Help. Foreign Affairs, 99.
