PROSPECTS OF CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE (BRI) ON PAK-INDIA RELATIONS

Abstract

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a game changer because it offers comprehensive plans for socio-economic progression and regionalintegration at the global level by providing linkages through land and sea routes. As for South Asia is concerned, it is the least integrated and backwardregion and BRI’s two plans, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Bangladesh China India Myanmar Corridor (BCIM) have the potential toupraise the regional economy. The main obstacles on the way to South Asia’s economic progression are the persisting mistrust between India and Pakistanand ongoing Sino-Indian standoff. The CPEC and BCIM will create winwin scenario for China, India and Pakistan that compel them to cooperatewith one another. To realise the association between economic development and stability, the theory of neo-functionalism provides understanding tocomprehend this debate. The connectivity between CPEC and BCIM will be advantageous to India and Pakistan for their economic rise and eradicatingmistrust between them which will lead towards regional peace and stability.