Talk by Dr. Abanti Bhattacharya on BRI and India’s Concern

China’s BRI and India’s Concern

Speaker: Dr. Abanti Bhattacharya, Associate Professor at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi

Abstract:
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a massive connectivity project intended to link China with Eurasia, Africa and Latin America. On the face of it, it is envisaged to link countries globally with roads and railways, trade and commerce and also cultures. In reality, it is intended to oust the United States and replace China as a global hegemon. Essentially, therefore, BRI is a tactical tool to implement China’s grand strategy. This grand strategy is predicated upon its periphery policy that is crafted to overcome its security vulnerabilities, expand its global geopolitical presence and finally emerge as a global superpower. It is therefore, no coincidence that the launching of the BRI also saw a renewed and vigorous emphasis on China’s periphery policy. A closer look into China’s periphery policy reveals the nature of threat that BRI poses to India’s sovereignty in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. Coupled with it, it also infringes on India’s sphere of influence both in South Asia and in the Indian Ocean. In essence thus, BRI is a territorial threat to India. Under no circumstances India should support the initiative. Endorsing BRI is tantamount to not only losing sovereignty rights but making the same mistake that Nehru had made in 1954 by recognizing Tibet a part of China.

Short Bio:
Abanti Bhattacharya is Associate Professor at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. She teaches courses on Chinese foreign policy, Chinese History, India-China relations, East Asia and the World and Chinese Nationalism. Prior to this, she was Associate Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). She holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. As part of the government exchange programme, she pursued Chinese language course from Fudan University Shanghai. Currently, she is a member of the editorial board of India Quarterly, a flagship publication of the Indian Council of World Affairs. (ICWA). She has published extensively in national and international journals including Issues and Studies, Asia-Pacific Review, East Asia, Journal of East Asian Affairs, Strategic Analysis among others. Dr. Bhattacharya can be reached at: [email protected]

Date: Saturday, 15 June 2019 @3.30pm

Venue: TPI Hall, T-Building, CTA, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala

(Attendance by Invitation Only)