BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing, China, has brought renewed attention to Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

• Proposed: In 2013 to improve connectivity and cooperation on a transcontinental scale.
• Purpose: Of restoring the ancient Silk Route (land-based infrastructure connection) that connected Asia and Europe.
• 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: Emphasizes maritime routes connecting China with Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• Involves: Building a big network of roadways, railways, maritime ports, power grids, oil and gas pipelines, and associated infrastructure projects.

Criticism and Concerns

• Debt Burden: Some countries have expressed concern about potential debt burdens resulting from BRI projects.
• Environmental Impact: Environmental sustainability and social impacts have raised concerns in certain areas.
• Geopolitical Considerations: The initiative has been criticized for potential geopolitical implications and concerns about China's influence in participating countries. Ex: BRI’s project CPEC (China-Pakistan economic corridor) is against India’s territorial sovereignty.