China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations

 China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations with the neighbours

China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations with the neighbours Geographically speaking, China is an Asia Pacific country. it's 22 neighbours. In its multi-dimensional foreign and security policy, Asia, in its broadest sense, figures during a big way. China is expanding relationship with all regions of Asia and Asia Pacific namely South East Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia and Eurasia. On the maritime front, China is extending its influence across the Indo-Pacific region. Thus China’s policy have both continental also as maritime dimensions. actually they're interlinked. The Belt and Road Iniiative (BRI) is an ambitious project of Xi Jinping aimed toward expanding China’s influence altogether region of Asia and beyond.

 India is additionally a serious Asian country , with 4000 Km long border with China which has yet not been demarcated. This puts a serious constraint on further development of Sino-Indian relations. China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) which passes through the Indian territory of J&K has adverse political and security implications for India. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also provides China a chance to expand its India’s neighbourhood. China projects BRI as a “public good” but the truth is extremely different as more and more countries find themselves in debt distress. BRI has prompted China to create new institution just like the AIIB and Silk Road Fund, to fund connectivity between China and therefore the neighbouring countries and beyond. India are going to be affected whether or not the BRI project succeeds. India’s neighboring countries can fall under unhealthy dependencies on China.

Security implications of BRI are considerable, as as an example within the case of CPEC which has brought the Chinese presence on the brink of Indian border, whether within the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) or within the Sir Creek area. a replacement private security force has been constituted in Pakistan ostensibly to guard the BRI assets. Border management will become that far more difficult. China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations with the neighbours , The implications of a Chinese naval base in Gwadar are self-evident. Within the past few years the Chinese submarines have appeared within the Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka . The Chinese naval base in Djibouti, within the Indian Ocean , is additionally a matter of security concern for India. Chinese also are expanding their presence in Duqum in Oman.

 

Chinese occupation of disputed islands within the South China Sea and therefore the construction of military facilities there, in disregard of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment, is a sign of assertive Chinese behavior. the continued Code of Conduct negotiation between China and ASEAN is probably going to supply a one-sided result because the established order in South China Sea is tilted in favour of China. Indian economic interests and India’s relations with ASEAN countries are heavily impacted by the heavy present of China in ASEAN.

 

India’s decision to stay faraway from the RCEP, though justified within the context of the shortage of competitiveness of the Indian industry, is nevertheless fraught with long-term implication for India’s Act East Policy. It opens the sector further for China to further deepen its influence in ASEAN. China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations with the neighbours the type of balance which India could provide within the East Asian region will receive a group back as India has decided to stay faraway from the RCEP.

India has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), despite China’s reluctance and hesitation. SCO is heavily dominated by China. the shortage of connectivity between India and Central Asia also limits India’s potential within the SCO. India’s involvement within the SCO is probably going to stay confined to cooperation on counter-terrorism issues. The presence of Pakistan within the SCO and China’s support thereto will make sure that the type of pressure which must be placed on Pakistan won't be possible.

 Russia is pushing its agenda for Eurasian integration. But it cannot escape from a dipper economic integration with China. Although, there are concerns in Russia over China’s growing influence in Eurasia also because the subordinateness of Russia, during a Russia-China partnership, Russia seems to possess no alternative but to become a supplier of energy and first resources to China. The inauguration of the pipeline Power of Siberia, may be a ble to"> which can provide 1 trillion cubic meters worth of gas to China within the next 30 years is a case in point. Russia is additionally enhancing its security cooperation with China at different levels. Russia, shunned by the West, goes deeper into the arms of China despite, future adverse implications for Russia itself. during a Russia-India-China trilateral, which has endured for on the brink of 20 years , Russia- China side is that the strongest. Even in BRICS, Russia and China dominate the grouping.

 

West Asia is a crucial region for India and China as both source their oil supplies to a substantial degree. China, through investment, trade and public diplomacy has succeeded in making an area for itself within the Middle East . China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations with the neighbours , Arabs have fully supported its BRI projects. China is taken into account a reliable partner within the region. In contrast, there are many doubts within the region about the US’ credibility.

 While India has significantly upgraded its relationship with key countries within the region, China’s trade and investments relations are deep. China is making inroad into Iran, particularly in Chahabhar. it's been before India in building railway infrastructure in Iran. India has did not capitalize fully the potential of the International North South Trade Corridor (INSTC), Chabahar port and has taken few steps to assist build the railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan. China’s growing influence in South Asia is a cause of concern for India’s relations with the neighbours  it's also been forced to scale back its oil purchases from Iran thanks to the US sanctions. India will find it increasingly difficult to take care of a balance between Iran on the one hand and Saudi Arabia on the opposite . China has been more successful during this regard, mainly due to its ability to face up to America.

 

China-US trade war can potentially be beneficial for India. Many US and other companies are trying to find alternative markets and destinations for investments. For this to happen, India has got to act fast and make itself as a beautiful destination. The slowing down of the Indian economy may be a setback therein direction.

 To sum up, the challenges before India arising out of China’s rise are as follows:

The rising asymmetry between India and China make it difficult for India to convince China to settle the boundary question.

China’s growing influence in South Asia at India’s expense.

Security implication of CPEC, Chinese base in Gawadar, Djibouti etc.

China’s activities to create and take hold of ports in several countries within the Indian Ocean .

China’s increasing military presence within the Indian Ocean .

China’s technology edge, particularly within the telecommunication area (5G) which provides its company like Huawei it holds into the countries of the region during which India even have strong interest.

China has used its space capabilities to draw in India’s neighbour into cooperative folds.

India’s neighbour follow policies of extracting maximum benefits from India and China rivalry and competition.

China’s growing capabilities in education is attracting sizable amount of Indian and South Asian student thereto universities.

China’s dominance in South East Asia will have an impression on India’s Act East Policy.

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