Answer

China’s expansionist strategy in South Asia is evident through its assertive territorial claims and control over water resources. Notably, China’s plan to construct the $137 billion Metok Dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet has raised significant concerns in India regarding potential water scarcity and geopolitical tensions.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

China’s expansionist strategy in South Asia

Territorial Claims

• Establishing counties and renaming areas: China uses cartographic aggression like renaming locations and creating new administrative units to assert control over disputed territories, undermining neighboring sovereignty.
  For example: China declared two new counties in Ladakh and renamed 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh in 2023.
• Establishing settlements in disputed areas: China builds infrastructure and villages in contested regions, creating facts on the ground to claim effective administrative control.
  For example: The establishment of a village in Bhutan’s disputed territory near the Doklam plateau in 2020 strengthened China’s presence.
• Asserting claims over neighbor’s territories: China uses official maps to show territories of Nepal, Bhutan, and India as part of its domain, disregarding international norms.
  For example: China’s 2023 standard map included Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutanese land, and Nepalese territories as its own.

Water Resources

• Unilateral dam construction: By constructing large dams on transboundary rivers, China limits downstream water flow and exerts control over water as a strategic asset.
  For example: The Yarlung Zangbo dam project threatens water supply to India and Bangladesh, risking floods and droughts.
• Lack of transparency on water sharing: China refuses to share hydrological data consistently, leaving downstream nations vulnerable to seasonal flooding or water scarcity.
  For example: China withheld critical water data from India during the 2017 Doklam standoff, intensifying vulnerabilities.

Comparison: India’s bilateral negotiations vs. Southeast Asia’s collective response

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

Comprehensive framework to counter challenges

• Regional Forum Creation: Establish a South Asian Water and Territorial Commission to address disputes with China, fostering unity among nations.
  For example: ASEAN’s Mekong River Commission provides a successful model for resolving riverine disputes and strategic cooperation.
• Enhanced Diplomacy: Strengthen multilateral ties among South Asian nations to counter China’s dominance and foster regional solidarity.
  For example: India’s BIMSTEC initiatives can expand to include water security and territorial conflict resolutions.
• Infrastructure Development: Accelerate hydropower and border projects in vulnerable regions to match China’s advancements and ensure strategic preparedness.
  For example: India’s $1 billion investment in Arunachal Pradesh’s hydropower projects aims to counter China’s dams.
• International Advocacy: Leverage international platforms like the UN to highlight China’s unilateralism and secure global support for fair resolutions.
  For example: India raised concerns over Chinese aggression at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2023.
• Data Sharing Mechanisms: Collaborate with neighbors to share real-time hydrological data to predict water-related risks and build resilience against floods.
  For example: India and Bangladesh’s joint initiative on Brahmaputra flood forecasting has reduced disaster impacts.

India’s approach of bilateral negotiations contrasts with Southeast Asia’s collective response to China’s expansionism. While India engages directly with China, Southeast Asian nations often collaborate through regional forums like ASEAN to address shared challenges. A comprehensive framework to counter China’s strategies should include multilateral cooperation, strengthened regional alliances, and robust diplomatic engagement to ensure regional stability.

DOWNLOAD PDF