Crossing the Himalayas: Buddhist Ties, Regional Integration and Great-Power Rivalry

Description

Contents Editors and Contributors Abbreviations 1 Introduction 2 Buddhist Ties in the Himalaya Region: Interactions, Impacts, and Policy Recommendations 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Buddhist Exchanges Between China and the Himalayan States From Ancient Times (202BC to 1911AD) Contemporary Era (1912 AD and Onwards) 2.3 Multiple Effects in the Himalayan Region Buddhist Diplomacy and BRI India-China Competition Over Buddhist Diplomacy 2.4 Conclusion and Policy Recommendations References 3 Sino-Indian Security Dilemma in the Himalayan Region-Chinese Perspectives 3.1 Introduction 3.2 New Manifestations and Characteristics of Sino-Indian Security Dilemma 3.3 New Factors Affecting Sino-Indian Security Dilemma 3.4 The Way Out of Sino-Indian Security Dilemma 3.5 Conclusion References 4 China–South Asia Relations: Indian Perspectives 4.1 China’s Presence and Influence in South Asia China’s Ties with Pakistan China’s Economic Ties with Other South Asian States China’s Vaccine ‘Competition’ in South Asia China’s Political and Diplomatic Ties with South Asian States China’s Regional Defence Ties 4.2 Impact on India’s Policies Towards South Asia India’s Role in South Asia India-China Tensions Decrease in India’s Influence in South Asia 4.3 India’s Response India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Foreign Policy Maritime Security Cooperation Deepening Security Ties with the US/‘Quad’ ‘China-India Plus’ Model 4.4 Conclusion References 5 China’s Growing Engagement in South Asia: Indian Perspectives 5.1 Introduction 5.2 South Asia’s Linkages with India and China Pakistan Afghanistan Bangladesh Sri Lanka Nepal Maldives Bhutan 5.3 Cross-Cutting Issues and Sino-Indian Stances BRI China’s MSRI and India’s SAGAR Issues in SAARC and SCO 5.4 Conclusion References 6 U.S. and Japan’s Engagement with South Asia-Chinese Perspectives 6.1 Introduction 6.2 U.S. Engagement with South Asia Shifting from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal “Honeymoon Period” in US-India Relations 6.3 Japan’s Engagement with South Asia Growing Economical Ties Between Japan and Small South Asian States Comprehensive and Harmonious Japan-India Relations 6.4 Major Driving Force of U.S. and Japan’s Engagement with South Asia 6.5 Conclusion References 7 CPEC: A Gateway to Regional Connectivity 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Contextualizing Infrastructure and Connectivity 7.3 A Snapshot of Infrastructure-Related Projects Under CPEC 7.4 Enhancing Regional Connectivity Under CPEC Afghanistan Iran India 7.5 Conclusion References 8 Sri Lanka Amid Sino-Indian Himalayan Rivalry 8.1 Introduction 8.2 China in Sri Lanka 8.3 BRI in Sri Lanka 8.4 Impacts of Sino-Indian Rivalry on Sri Lanka Economic Impacts Geopolitical Impacts Security Impacts 8.5 Sri Lanka’s Response to Sino-Indian Competition 8.6 Conclusion References 9 Bangladesh’s Quest for Development and the Sino-Indian Contestation 9.1 Introduction 9.2 The First Partition of Bengal: BRI’s Faint Shadow in the Mist? 9.3 Bangladesh-China Relations: It is a Two-Way Street! 9.4 The Road Not Taken: India and BRI in South Asia 9.5 Conclusion References 10 Nepal Amid Sino-Indian Contestation 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Changing Global Power Rivalry in South Asia 10.3 Regional Integration in the Himalaya Region 10.4 Crossing the Himalayas: Resurgence of Great Power Politics 10.5 Conclusion References 11 Budding Indo-Myanmar Relations: What It Means to China? 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Historical Background of Indo-Myanmar Relations 11.3 China Factor in Indo-Myanmar Relations 11.4 Indo-Myanmar Political Engagement and Its Impacts on China 11.5 Indo-Myanmar Naval Cooperation: Hindering China’s Indian Ocean Strategy? 11.6 Physical Connectivity Between India and Myanmar: Challenge for China 11.7 Conclusion References