China’s Growing Influence in South Asia through BRI and Challenges for India

Abstract

Over the past two decades, China’s growing influence has affected the regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. Its growing economy and interest in the economic cooperation with these regions have benefitted both China and the mentioned regions economically in an immense degree. China is now the world’s second largest economy, with a GDP of US $14.72 trillion, lagging behind only the United States. India, the world’s fifth largest economy, which has a GDP of US $2.623 trillion, has perceived China as a threat because of its close cooperation with Pakistan, its biggest rival due to the Jammu and Kashmir region. The study has tried to critically analyze the kinds of challenges China BRI project has brought to India, hence resulting in India’s rejection of the Initiative.