The recent agreement between China and Pakistan to develop an economic corridor has significant implications for India’s security landscape. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar project aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic cooperation between the two countries, poses a multifaceted threat to India’s security interests. Firstly, the strategic implications of CPEC cannot be overlooked, as it deepens China’s footprint in Pakistan, a long-standing rival of India. The corridor includes infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, and pipelines, which could potentially facilitate the rapid movement of Chinese military assets closer to India’s borders. Moreover, the development of Gwadar Port, a key component of CPEC, raises concerns about China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean, thereby challenging India’s maritime security interests. Additionally, the economic dimension of CPEC could exacerbate existing tensions between India and Pakistan. By bolstering Pakistan’s economy and infrastructure, China strengthens its strategic partnership with Islamabad, potentially emboldening Pakistan to adopt more aggressive policies towards India. Furthermore, the influx of Chinese investments and personnel into Pakistan could lead to increased intelligence cooperation between China and Pakistan, posing espionage and cyber threats to India. However, it’s essential to critically examine these threats in the context of India’s own strategic capabilities and diplomatic maneuvers. While CPEC undoubtedly presents challenges, India has been actively engaging in its own regional partnerships and infrastructure development initiatives to counterbalance China’s influence and safeguard its security interests. Therefore, while CPEC does pose significant security challenges for India, it also underscores the importance of India’s strategic agility and diplomatic prowess in navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics of the region.
Tag: Role of external state and non-state actors, in creating challenges to internal security
Decoding the Question:
- In the intro try to write about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
- In Body, Discuss security implications of CPEC in India.
- Try to conclude with India’s strategy to counter CPEC.
Answer:
The China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) seeks to connect the port of Gwadar in Pakistan to the Xinjiang region in China by means of highways, airways and railways, and also deploy pipelines to transport oil and gas. The corridor will not only connect China to Pakistan, but also act as a trade route for Chinese goods and commodities meant for the Middle East and Africa.
Security Implications of CPEC on India:
- India’s sovereignty: CPEC has been criticised by India as it is compromising India’s sovereignty, as this project runs through India’s Gilgit-Baltistan province which is India’s part forcibly captured by Pakistan in 1947.
- Part of string of pearls: Chinese strategic and security theory of string of pearls theory provides security edge in Indian ocean and on land borders as well. As it will help China to surround India and give potential threat to India’s national security.
- Not clear yet: Chinese investment in this multi-billion-dollar project has seen through suspicion. Whether this project is purely made for commercial purpose or there is any security perspective behind it.
- Influence in Indian ocean region: Through this economic corridor China will have greater access and strategic advantage over India. Also, this project will reduce dependence of China on Strait of Malacca, which is considered the neck of China and in case of conflict India has a clear advantage over China in blocking supplies.
- Net security provider: India’s ambitions to be a net security provider in the Indian ocean region may be challenged through CPEC. Because of CPEC China can increase its naval presence in the Indian ocean, especially in the Arabian sea.
- Impacts on India-China relations: CPEC is bone of contention in India-China relations. India constantly asks China to respect its territorial sovereignty, but China is ignorant. This may further degrade relations between India China relations.
- Impact on J&K: As the Chinese project is going through the J&K region it has some serious security threats. If a two front war happens it will be very detrimental for India’s national security. Also we can not forget about the security alliance between both the countries, which is primarily India centred.
Hence, India needs to counter Chinese ambitions through realization of its International North-South project, Security and Growth for All in Region, realising connectivity projects like SPICE route, increasing cooperation between QUAD countries and counter balancing with building Chabahar projects. Therefore, China must understand India’s point of view that sovereignty of India is always up and above economic interest.
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