Geopolitics of Belt & Road Initiative: An Overview of Security Dynamics in South Asia

The security landscape of South Asian States has been much altered after BRI. It approached South Asia and faced a mix of enthusiasm and scepticism. One side of the BRI is seen as an initiative that boosts economic growth, creates jobs, and enhances the infrastructure, while on the other side presents that critical concerns exist about China's growing influence, concerns of Debt traps, and non-traditional threats. Such prospects of the project shape a complex scenario for South Asian states in their decision-making process. Security considerations are a key concern for the states in the context of BRI. Since the initiative constitutes different transportation corridors, ports, and several infrastructure projects, it raises concerns of being vulnerable to threats from geopolitical rivalries. Moreover, China's growing military might has shifted the regional power dynamics in the Indian Ocean region, challenging the traditional dominance of India. That's why the success of BRI in South Asia mostly depends on the relations between India and China, but their relations have mostly been intensified lately. Other regional players, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, have sought to capitalize on the opportunities of BRI, but their strategic choices have been influenced by their relationships with both China and India.