Indian Perceptions of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

This article has captured evolving Indian narratives concerning One Belt One Road (OBOR) or the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In the context of changing scope of the BRI, perceptions are also evolving. The article has covered wider perceptions, which go much beyond limited official narrative. Broader India–China ties have affected BRI discussions. The sovereignty-related issues concerning the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and broader geopolitical implications within the Indian Ocean Region have overshadowed other aspects of the BRI. India’s participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS had relatively little impact on New Delhi’s perception of the BRI. In fact, the Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar Economic Cooperation (BCIM) corridor, which was graduated to Track I in 2013, has rather become victim of the BRI geopolitics. Although a large number of independent analysts have argued for a selective participation in the BRI, this has hardly been reflected in government policy. As the BRI progresses, the Indian focus is more on perusing its own connectivity plans (individually or with other partners) and also on showing how some of the BRI projects are creating difficulties for recipient countries. From the earlier geopolitical and developmental aspects of the initiative, the focus is now shifting more towards a political economy analysis of participating countries. Increasing difficulties faced by BRI projects in terms of debt trap, corruption, political controversies, negative environmental implications and overall sustainability of projects are also being analysed in India.