POLITICS OF CORRIDORS-EMERGING SUB-REGIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX IN SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

South Asia is unique in many ways. One of the earliest known civilizations, it is home to a variety of sociocultural features besides being one of the most densely populated regions on the globe. Nevertheless, what makes the region special in the contemporary geopolitical scenario is the ability to obtain regional dynamics in the backdrop of evolving trade and economic corridors spanning the whole region. Under the Chinese vision of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’(BRI), at  least six economic corridors have been announced linking various states, nations,  and communities. As per the avowed claim of China, the main initiator, these are the infrastructure development avenues conceived to create regional connectivity and interdependence among regional states, leading towards ‘shared destiny’. The planned corridors not only reflect exclusively unique geographical areas, but also present a complex intersection of economic, geo-political, and strategic values within and beyond the region. The study analyses the dual nature of these corridors as both opportunities for development and sources of geopolitical tensions, reflecting the intricate security architecture that may emerge as a result of evolving strategic competition between the major actors in the backdrop of ‘politics of corridors. To theorize the study, Barry Buzan’s theory of regional complex has been employed, whereby it is hypothesized that a ‘sub- regional security complex’ involving Pakistan, India, and China is emerging within South Asia in the backdrop of BRI and CPEC. Though, these corridors, just like the prosperous days of the ancient Silk Route, are primarily shaped by the forces of economic proximity, there are all the chances for a strategic conflict between Pakistan and India, if the undercurrents beneath the politics of corridor are not analyzed, understood in the right perspective and managed wisely. On the other hand, however, our research posits that one day China will emerge as a balance between Pakistan and India, as it cannot afford to risk the gigantic project of BRI.