• Latest
  • Trending

Points to ponder over Big Power connectivity projects

July 29, 2017
Alien

Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

June 2, 2023
Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash

Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

June 2, 2023
Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello

Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

June 2, 2023
President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

June 2, 2023
The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

June 2, 2023
Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

June 2, 2023
Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

Fish moving to colder waters to survive

June 1, 2023
Xi jinping

Xi Jinping tells China’s national security chiefs to prepare for ‘worst case’ scenarios

June 1, 2023
Dried fish. Image credits - Alex Bell alexbellfood / Unsplash

Heavy metal testing for imported dried fish, sprats and fruits mandatory from today

June 1, 2023
Work

Special Gazette published for professionals in 14 different categories

June 1, 2023
Jamila Husain appointed Editor-in-Chief of Daily Mirror

Jamila Husain appointed Editor-in-Chief of Daily Mirror

June 1, 2023
India’s New Parliament House dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi

India’s New Parliament House dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi

May 31, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Saturday, June 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash

    Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

    President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

    President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

    The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

    The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

    Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

    Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

    Xi jinping

    Xi Jinping tells China’s national security chiefs to prepare for ‘worst case’ scenarios

    Dried fish. Image credits - Alex Bell alexbellfood / Unsplash

    Heavy metal testing for imported dried fish, sprats and fruits mandatory from today

    Work

    Special Gazette published for professionals in 14 different categories

    Jamila Husain appointed Editor-in-Chief of Daily Mirror

    Jamila Husain appointed Editor-in-Chief of Daily Mirror

    India’s New Parliament House dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi

    India’s New Parliament House dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello

    Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Flight

    World’s best airline for 2023 named by AirlineRatings.com

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Recep Tayyip Erdogan

    Erdogan wins Turkish election, extending rule to third decade

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

    Joe Biden’s advisers say he doesn’t want to drag Pacific allies into ‘headlong clash’ between US and China

    Joe Biden’s advisers say he doesn’t want to drag Pacific allies into ‘headlong clash’ between US and China

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Sajdah’ goal celebration goes viral

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Samahan

    Amitabh Bachchan expresses confidence for Sri Lankan herbal drink Samahan

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Emirates

    All Emirates passengers can now avail of free Wi-Fi connectivity onboard

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    5 healthy habits that are easy to add to your day

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey

    Nigerian chef cooks for 100 hours in world record attempt

    Batik Air

    Batik Air reinstates daily services between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Sri Lankans enjoy a walk in the beach

    My trip to Sri Lanka restored faith in fellow humans: Australian tourist

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp

    WhatsApp introduces new feature to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp will allow users to lock and hide conversations

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp announces multi-device feature to support more than one phone

    Apple store in Mumbai

    Apple says ‘Hello Mumbai’ at first India store launch

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp to introduce five new features in 2023 

    OpenAI has created ChatGPT, a start-up focused on artificial intelligence and its potential use cases. (Image source: OpenAI)

    ChatGPT banned in Italy over privacy concerns

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash

    Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

    President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

    President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

    The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

    The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

    Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

    Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

    Xi jinping

    Xi Jinping tells China’s national security chiefs to prepare for ‘worst case’ scenarios

    Dried fish. Image credits - Alex Bell alexbellfood / Unsplash

    Heavy metal testing for imported dried fish, sprats and fruits mandatory from today

    Work

    Special Gazette published for professionals in 14 different categories

    Jamila Husain appointed Editor-in-Chief of Daily Mirror

    Jamila Husain appointed Editor-in-Chief of Daily Mirror

    India’s New Parliament House dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi

    India’s New Parliament House dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello

    Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Flight

    World’s best airline for 2023 named by AirlineRatings.com

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Recep Tayyip Erdogan

    Erdogan wins Turkish election, extending rule to third decade

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

    Joe Biden’s advisers say he doesn’t want to drag Pacific allies into ‘headlong clash’ between US and China

    Joe Biden’s advisers say he doesn’t want to drag Pacific allies into ‘headlong clash’ between US and China

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Sajdah’ goal celebration goes viral

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Samahan

    Amitabh Bachchan expresses confidence for Sri Lankan herbal drink Samahan

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Emirates

    All Emirates passengers can now avail of free Wi-Fi connectivity onboard

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    5 healthy habits that are easy to add to your day

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey

    Nigerian chef cooks for 100 hours in world record attempt

    Batik Air

    Batik Air reinstates daily services between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Sri Lankans enjoy a walk in the beach

    My trip to Sri Lanka restored faith in fellow humans: Australian tourist

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp

    WhatsApp introduces new feature to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp will allow users to lock and hide conversations

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp announces multi-device feature to support more than one phone

    Apple store in Mumbai

    Apple says ‘Hello Mumbai’ at first India store launch

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp to introduce five new features in 2023 

    OpenAI has created ChatGPT, a start-up focused on artificial intelligence and its potential use cases. (Image source: OpenAI)

    ChatGPT banned in Italy over privacy concerns

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Around South Asia

Points to ponder over Big Power connectivity projects

Editor by Editor
July 29, 2017
in Around South Asia, Around The World, Business, China, India, Top Story
Reading Time: 5 mins read
4 0
A A
Share on WhatsApp

Asian rivals China and India are busy putting together intercontinental connectivity projects to enhance their economic and strategic power well beyond their borders, in pursuance of the goal to be the new Big Powers in the 21st Century aptly named the “Asian Century”, writes P.K.Balachandran in DailyFT..

China is touting its humongous One Belt One Road (OBOR) global connectivity project as a non-political and purely commercial one, based on mutual economic advantage. But sensing the “hidden” agenda in the OBOR, India has refused to fall in line and is floating its own connectivity projects to be independent of China and build its own independent international economic and strategic network.

However, both the Chinese and Indian schemes have their strengths and flaws which have to be taken note of for them to succeed and stand the test of time.

ADVERTISEMENT

OBOR  

China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping as his flagship project to make an already prosperous China a world economic, political and military power.

China has earmarked $ 1 trillion for the OBOR which is to cover 65 countries across Asia and Europe, accounting for 40% of the world’s GDP.  Starting in China’s Fujian Province, the OBOR in the form of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route, passes through the Malacca Straits, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and on to Venice. Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are part of this maritime route. The Hambantota port and the Colombo International Terminal in Sri Lanka have already been built.

The land route traverses Central Asia and Pakistan. The $ 55 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a port at Gwadar, is already under construction.

India’s objection to OBOR

India and Japan are strongly opposing the OBOR. India’s objection stems from the fact that the CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan which is part of the chunk of Kashmir which Pakistan seized from India in the 1948 India-Pakistan war. India has kept up its claim to this area despite the virtually impossibility of getting it back. India says that China has eroded its sovereignty by agreeing to build a road and rail line through Gilgit-Baltistan without seeking its consent.

However, the real reason is that India is against the strengthening of China-Pakistan ties which it considers as being inimical to India. China could use the road, railway, and the Gwadar port to destroy India’s maritime assets in collaboration with Pakistan. India receives 65% of its energy needs from West Asia through the sea route adjoining Gwadar.

India feels hemmed in by China in South Asia. It is worried that China might use the Hambantota and the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) in Sri Lanka for military purposes. Both are funded and run by the Chinese company China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. In Bangladesh, China is building a port at Payra and in Myanmar at Kyaukpyu, which could curtail India’s sway over the Bay of Bengal.

China has also made deep inroads into Nepal where the pro-China Communist Party of Nepal (UML) lead by K.P. Sharma Oli could capture power in the next parliamentary elections. A Bangladesh under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party could tilt markedly towards China unlike the present ruling party the Awami League which is adroitly balancing China and India.

Map of North South Transport Corridor

Bhutan is could swing towards China if China continues to put military pressure on India in the Doklam sector. Bhutan has major grievances against India. The trade monopoly enjoyed by the latter; the country’s heavy indebtedness to India; and the unfavourable agreement with India on power generation and sale are worrisome.  Bhutan could accept China’s “package deal” on the border, by which, Doklam will be given to China in exchange for China’s giving up claims in other areas.

Bhutan could do this, despite India’s considering Doklam as vital for the defence of the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow chicken neck connecting mainland India with its North Eastern states.

Since independence in 1947, India has been having a problem with China on the 3500 km long border with it. In 1962, the two countries had even gone to war in which India got badly beaten. Another war with China will be equally disastrous for India as India continues to be weaker than China militarily. It has also become economically weaker being 13 years behind China.

While China can fight a long war on account of its built-up industrial and financial strength, India has ammunition for only ten days; its army officer cadre is grossly below strength and its Air Force is short of planes.

India’s bid to rise up

Its relative weakness notwithstanding, India wants to maintain its status as the South Asian hegemon. And to be able to sustain this increasingly challenging status, India is trying to match China’s influence in the South Asian region by giving aid and offering to execute major infrastructure projects on better financial terms.

In addition to bilateral aid programs in the region, India is also involved in extra regional projects to establish its status as an international developer and as an alternative to China’s OBOR.

Within the South Asian cum East Asian region it has the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Economic and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC); the Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) initiative, and the South Asian Sub Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiative. Funding for projects under these initiatives is largely from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Beyond the region

In addition, India is part of the North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) which links India with Iran, the Central Asian countries, and Russia. When this link up is made, cargo from Mumbai can reach St.Petersberg in Russia in 25 days and not 46 as now and the cost will be lower by 30%.

India is building a port in Chabahar in Iran which will be part of the NSTC besides giving India a place in the region to match the Sino-Pakistan port at Gwadar.

Like China, India is also investing heavily in Africa, which, with an average growth rate of 5% per annum, has become a hot bed of international economic and political rivalry.

Between 1999 and 2016, India had invested $ 54 billion in Africa and Indo-African trade has gone up from $ 7 billion to $ 56 billion in the same period. India hopes to increase the total volume of Indo-African trade to $ 100 billion by 2018.

China is also a heavy investor in Africa with an investment of $ 194 billion in 2016. China-Africa trade is huge, totalling $ 75 billion in 2016. Ten million Chinese are working in African on Chinese-funded projects.

However, while Chinese projects under OBOR are underway, many of the Indian projects, especially those in the South Asian region, are still on the drawing board or under discussion. In BIMSTEC, detailed project reports are ready, but there is little action on the ground.

Animosities and fears about Indian domination make India’s smaller neighbours balk at India-funded projects and tend to delay them. On its part, India does not want to work with Pakistan at all.

India does not want to work with China either, as seen in its opposition to OBOR and the BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar) corridor project. At a meeting of  BRICS think tanks in China recently ,India not only wanted praise of OBOR deleted from the final communiqué, but also suggested that BRICS projects should not be linked to OBOR and that Pakistan should not be included as an  associate country.

Denting China’s image  

India and Japan are also on a campaign to expose China’s “hidden agenda” in pressing countries to join the OBOR. They say that the smaller and poor countries will become heavily indebted to China and will soon have to surrender control over the assets created under OBOR. This has already happened in Hambantota in Sri Lanka partially.

Another allegation is that China builds assets abroad mainly to benefit itself and not the host country.  China could also use its economic (even military) power to twist the arms of recalcitrant or defaulting recipient countries. A fear generated by Japan is the use of substandard material in construction.

(The featured picture at the top shows Indian Prime Minister Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping at  Hamburg) 

Related Posts

Alien
Around The World

Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

June 2, 2023
Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash
Around South Asia

Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

June 2, 2023
Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello
Around The World

Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

June 2, 2023
President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048
Economy

President says Sri Lanka will be a thriving nation by 2048

June 2, 2023
The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it
Around The World

The Social Progress Imperative Report 2022— India has its work cut out for it

June 2, 2023
Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo
Diplomacy

Barkha Dutt interviews Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India for Mojo

June 2, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60244 shares
    Share 24120 Tweet 15052
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6641 shares
    Share 2694 Tweet 1645
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    1858 shares
    Share 750 Tweet 462
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    790 shares
    Share 329 Tweet 192
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    742 shares
    Share 320 Tweet 176
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - mersin escort - Antalya korsan taksi -
ip booter