The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a monumental project introduced by China in 2013, is designed to transform international trade and infrastructure development. The BRI seeks to enhance worldwide connectivity and cooperation by establishing a network of land and sea routes connecting Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa, and Europe. Initially dubbed ‘One Belt, One Road’, the initiative was later renamed BRI to promote a more inclusive image rather than a China-centric one. The BRI is composed of two main components: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road.
Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road
The Silk Road Economic Belt, one component of the BRI, focuses on enhancing Eurasian connectivity, infrastructure, and trade links through an extensive network of overland transportation routes. On the other hand, the Maritime Silk Road emphasizes maritime partnerships with the development of ports, shipping routes, and maritime infrastructure projects. This maritime venture begins from the South China Sea, heading towards Indo-China, South-East Asia, and circling the Indian Ocean to reach Africa and Europe.
Objectives and Geographic Corridors of the BRI
At its core, the BRI aims to bolster global connectivity by making strides in infrastructure, trade, and economic cooperation. Projects under this umbrella range from railways to ports, highways, and energy infrastructure. The land-focused Silk Road Economic Belt identifies six key corridors for development, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor, and China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
India’s Position on BRI
India has been openly opposing the BRI due to matters of sovereignty and transparency. This opposition is majorly due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the BRI that traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a region India lays claim on. India argues that the BRI projects should adhere to international norms, rule of law, financial sustainability and should not create debt traps or pose environmental or social risks for host countries.
Benefits and Impacts of the BRI
Countries involved in the BRI have reported an increase in trade and investments with China, leading to preferential treatment and policy advantages. Trade with BRI partners noted an annual growth rate of 6.4%, reaching USD 19.1 trillion between 2013 and 2022.
Controversies and Challenges Surrounding BRI
The BRI has been the subject of various concerns. These include potential debt sustainability and transparency issues, particularly in nations with weak governance, high corruption, and low credit ratings. Some have criticized China’s “debt-trap diplomacy”, accusing it of lending money to countries that find themselves unable to repay, thereby gaining control over their strategic assets. The lack of a central governing structure in the BRI also presents coordination and governance challenges. Political tensions, such as the India-China border dispute, affect the implementation of BRI projects in certain regions. Environmental and social impacts of infrastructure projects under the BRI have also drawn criticism. Furthermore, the BRI has ignited geopolitical concerns related to China’s increasing influence over critical infrastructure in partner countries.
UPSC Civil Services Examination- Previous Year Questions
These questions relate to the BRI and were asked in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in previous years. For example, in 2016, the question was, “Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (a) African Union (b) Brazil (c) European Union (d) China”. The correct answer was ‘China’. Other questions have delved into India’s stance regarding the BRI and the impact of growing Chinese influence in Asia.
