CHINA’S STRATEGIC INTERESTS IN SOUTH ASIA: IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

China’s strategic interests in South Asia are aimed at securing and strengthening her economy and ensuring her security, stability, peace and development. She is likely to maintain a pragmatic and supportive approach to share the benefits of an effective rules-based system relying on trade to support her economic development. Her concept of foreign strategy is to build a harmonious world for safeguarding the common interests, promoting mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, making close and friendly relations with neighbors. China’s strategic approach is to build a harmonious world, go global, become world number one, use ‘Soft Power’, keep her military budget and build-ups secret and make South Asia receptive to Chinese influence. She also intends to grow her influence in the Indian Ocean securing the sea lines of communications. But her present global policies of non-intervention and non-interference are likely to be changed with the increase in power, influence and wealth. Beijing’s strategy is to continue tightening relations with Pakistan to shape the South Asian security environment nullifying India’s exclusive dominance and to secure her number one status in the Asia-Pacific. China-South Asia relationship is very friendly and progressive. South Asian nations including Bangladesh must derive maximum possible economic and political gains out of this excellent connection with China.