India's Counter to China's BRI

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the associated "String of Pearls" theory have significant geopolitical implications for India. The BRI is an ambitious infrastructure development project aimed at connecting China with Europe and Africa via land and sea routes. The "String of Pearls" refers to a perceived strategy by China to establish a network of military and commercial bases along the Indian Ocean, potentially encircling India. China's ambition of dominating the strategically crucial ports across the Indian Ocean like Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Both these projects have ignited concerns regarding China's potential military access and its capacity to project power into the region and this has been becoming a concern for India. India's apprehensions concerning the BRI also related with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is a part of BRI, traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a region clearly claimed by India. 

To counter the BRI and its potential ramifications, India has embarked developing the "Neighborhood First" policy, which prioritizes engagement with neighboring countries. This policy emphasizes fostering strong bilateral relations with neighboring countries, promoting economic cooperation, and addressing shared regional challenges.

Significantly India has actively trying to solidify its strategic partnerships with key regional and global players, including the United States, Japan, and Australia. These partnerships are aimed at balancing China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Again the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) serves as a crucial platform for India to engage with regional partners, promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, addressing maritime security.

India has actively promoted alternative financing mechanisms, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which aims to provide a platform for multilateral cooperation on infrastructure development. India has significantly ramped up its investments in infrastructure development, both domestically and regionally. This includes the development of major ports, airports, and transportation corridors, aimed at enhancing India's connectivity, bolstering its economic competitiveness, and providing alternative routes for trade and commerce.

India has invested substantially in the development of Chabahar Port in Iran, recognizing its strategic significance as a counterweight to Gwadar Port, a key component of CPEC. Chabahar Port offers India access to landlocked Central Asian markets, enhancing its economic and strategic influence in the region.

The development of International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which is the multi-modal transport corridor connects India to Russia and Central Asia via Iran. The INSTC offers a viable alternative to traditional land and sea routes, reducing reliance on sea lanes potentially dominated by China. 

With the partnership of Japan India launched the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) which aims to enhance connectivity between Asia and Africa, fostering trade, investment, and infrastructure development. The AAGC seeks to strengthening the economic and strategic ties between Asia and Africa.

The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway highway project aims to improve connectivity between India, Southeast Asia, and beyond, promoting trade and economic development in the region providing India's 

access to the Southeast Asian Markets and expandingi the trade and investment opportunities.

As India is trying to counter Chinese and "String of Pearls" strategy, there are many challenges remain. India needs to significantly increase investment in infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity with capacity building along with a very rapid economic growth and regional cooperation.