Name: Mohammed Saqib ,Secretary General, India-China Economic and Cultural Council

Abstract:

The OBOR initiative has captured world attention for the sheer range and innovation of the concept, the extraordinary ambition that lies at its base and the significant resources—technological, human, financial and political—that will need to be garnered globally to realise the vision. OBOR is prompted by China’s interests in energy, security and promotion of economic ties, it is actually driven by the vision of “strengthening economic and cultural integration” across the countries.

India's official response to the OBOR has been cautious and relatively muted. It understands the needs and benefits of strengthening economic and cultural integration, but have concerns about its strategic concerns. China needs to engage and consult more with India to play down the geopolitical aspects of the OBOR. Further, it needs to expand friendly relationships and garner people’s support through engaging with non-government institutions and opinion makers. Jaishankar, India Foreign Secretary, said that Asian connectivity would need to take into account “institutional, regulatory, legal, digital, financial and commercial connections”, besides “the common cultural and civilisational thread that runs through Asia”. The policy coordination among participating countries, the need for trade liberalisation and financial integration, and above all, the importance of promoting “people-to-people links” is paramount for OBOR’s success. For its success, OBOR should be seen as an Asia project. China should engage and consult with India in the true spirit of Vision Document on OBOR.

For India, there is no need to fear the OBOR, geopolitically, India has its own strengths. India should evaluate those components of the OBOR which may, in fact, improve India’s own connectivity to major markets and resource supplies. Both China and OBOR need India to be a partner on board

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