China’s Belt and Road Initiative in South Asia: A Case Study of CPEC

Abstract

This article offers a critical analysis of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a ‘flagship’ project under the auspices of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – in terms of its bifurcated identity as an infrastructure-led development strategy as well as a geopolitical quinestre. Located at the intersection of regional connectivity and strategic recalibration, CPEC provides a useful case of how the materiality and modality of such mega-scale transnational infrastructure projects constrain national development pathways and impact upon regional power dynamics. Based on the theoretical perspectives of neorealist and soft power, this paper analyses the multi-dimensional dimensions of CPEC in terms of its economic, political, and security consequences for Pakistan and the greater South Asian region. Methodologically, the study is informed by a qualitative content analysis of secondary data, in particular policy papers from government sources, peer reviewed literature, and other reputable news sources. The results show that CPEC has made remarkable contributions to Pakistan’s energy infrastructure and transportation networks, while presenting serious challenges to issues of debt sustainability, environmental degradation, and regional disparity. Further, CPEC has increased regional geo-political rivalry, particularly vis-a-vis India, and geopolitically consolidated China only-Pakistan nexus leading to a rearrangement in the regional security architecture. The paper argues that the CPEC’s victory in the long-run depends on its offering of all-in-including, transparent and eco-friendly development and also to remain diplomatic balance against ever-contested geopolitical environment.