The geopolitics of the CPEC and Indian Ocean: security implication for India

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article will consider the Geopolitics of the CPEC and its security implication for India in the Indian Ocean. The CPEC is a multi-billion dollars’ mega project that would connect the city of Kashgar in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang to the port city of Gwadar in Pakistan's province in Balochistan. A significant milestone for the project was reached when the management of the Gwadar Port was given to Chinese Overseas Port Holdings in 2013. This paper intends to go beyond economics and look at CPEC through the lens of geopolitics. CPEC would outline China's long-term geopolitical plans in the Indian Ocean which could alter the region's security environment. However, both China and Pakistan are faced with a series of challenges that hinder the maximisation of the project; nevertheless, the CPEC still has serious security implications for India. Issues that encompass India's territorial integrity and the naval build-up of China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean significantly challenge its strategic and geopolitical interests in the region. India is thus opposed to the development of the CPEC in its backyard and must craft a strategy that would serve as a counter-weight in the region.