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China's growing influence on world politics has started troubling world leaders whose grip over small nations is loosening as time passes. The landmark political situation over some years explains how China has set itself as a great competitor in almost every field. Recent developments after the G7 meet have brought a red flag inside Chinese bureaucracy to create plans to set itself isolated from future happenings that might appear as countries unite to tackle growing Chinese influence. Even before this, China's BRI has already come to the radar of everyone. With instances that may add to growing Chinese influence, China is letting no stone unturned.
There's a rising demand among the world politics to quote China responsible for the pandemic which resulted in a severe collapse of the economy all around the world. China on the other hand has figured out that the pandemic could turn out to be a greater opportunity to strengthen its league. The recent victory of China in vaccine diplomacy has already forced most of the low-income countries to get into a non-disclosure agreement for procuring Chinese COVID vaccines when no other country is in a position to help other countries even on a humanitarian basis. The non-disclosure agreement, has in some way shielded the possible gap that might have forced China into a major spreader of COVID.
China has, for a long time has figured out the requirements of a stable and supporting neighbor. The reason which has pushed China to directly or indirectly involve in developmental and political matters of its neighbour. When SAARC was formed under the leadership of the then Nepalese King, China had big ambitions to be a part of SAARC. SAARC could have been a perfect gate of entry for China to develop better and sound relations with its neighbour. However, India had no intentions to bring China into the league as this would lighten growing Indian influence in South Asia. This gets even clear when in 2005 Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, the then king of Nepal was outflanked by India on the decision to bring China into SAARC. The recent conflict of India with Pakistan has made SAARC totally idle and has pushed India to concentrate on BIMSTEC.
Citing possible opportunity to develop its root in South Asia, China during its virtual meet to discuss COVID -19 pandemic brought a concept of alleviating poverty in South Asia by establishing Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center. Of the eight members of SAARC, five have already joined its initiative which includes Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Srilanka. Maldives, Bhutan, and India are yet to collaborate. The chances of the Maldives joining too is high. The main motive of PACDC, if is to remove poverty from South Asia, the entry of India would have sent a good signal. However, India has been outflanked from the league. The joining of other countries is also linked to the possibility of vaccine deal with China.
Nepal who is one of the closest neighbors of India has not brought a statement about its active participation in the league citing its present nearness to India after recent political developments within the country. However, it has started looking for opportunities that can be achieved from PACDC staying away from the limelight. Nepal at the present situation would not like to degrade relations with any of its neighbors and has been playing a balanced card for both its neighbor.
China has not shared much information about the platform and the initiation started with the presence of ambassadors of the participating countries. There's going to be immense pressure on India to control the growing influence of China as PACDC could also be Beijing’s plan to create what some call a northern Himalayan Quad aimed at countering the Washington-led Quad of which India is an active member.
China has different kinds of strategic, maritime, political, and ideological interests with different South Asian nations so it is increasing its engagements with each country on equal footing to counterbalance India. Despite the pandemic, China’s economic growth has continued, and its economic muscle helps it achieve significant development. What seems difficult will be to observe how the league continues citing growing friction between India and China. Nepal and other partner countries might face huge challenges to balance relations in the days to come. China's strategy to contain and undermine India's role in South Asia and developing allies to counter world pressure would definitely create suffering to partner countries, a lot if there are frictions between India and China.
It would be beneficial for partner countries to develop a balanced approach and take things that may be advantageous for their development while developing a friendly relationship with major powers in Asia.
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