China plans another conspiracy against India, makes move to disturb power balance in Asia, Modi govt is biggest challenge due to...
Not just at the borders, but India is giving a hard time to China at other fronts too. China is preparing to form a new group under its leadership to replace the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). However, India has emerged as the biggest hurdle in this effort of China. Analysts say that due to its economic strength and crisis management capability, India remains important for future regional cooperation. In such a situation, it is useless to imagine any group or alliance in South Asia without India. India had distanced itself from this group due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and its dogmatism. Due to this, the meetings of SAARC are pending.
What is China-Pakistan planning together?
According to reports, discussions are in advanced stages between Islamabad and Beijing on a possible alternative to the China-led SAARC. Experts believe that China is using this as a geopolitical ploy to sideline India. Bangladeshi officials reportedly attended a meeting about the new grouping in Kunming, China on June 19, but Dhaka downplayed any political implications.
Why is SAARC eclipsed?
SAARC was established in 1985 by seven countries including India. Later in 2007, Afghanistan also joined this alliance. The member countries of SAARC are India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But, SAARC has been largely inactive since 2016. India refused to attend the SAARC meeting due to the attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in 2016. Since then its meetings are pending and the rest of the members have also backed out from it.
Why India's neighbors will not join China's SAARC?
China's bid to expand its influence in South Asia is based on strategic, economic and security interests. Through projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing not only seeks to boost regional connectivity but also secure energy routes and counter the rise of India, analysts say. But countries such as Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal may be reluctant to join any new regional body that excludes India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited all SAARC leaders to his first swearing-in ceremony in 2014. He also attended the SAARC summit in Kathmandu that year, where he called for a motor-vehicle agreement to enhance connectivity. When Pakistan blocked the deal, India signed a similar agreement with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal the following year. India also pushed ahead with the South Asia Satellite Project in 2017, even after Pakistan had already backed out, which was intended to benefit all other SAARC countries.
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