Abstract
The changing geo-political dynamics have increased South Asia’s strategic significance for China. Beijing’s bilateral relations with each state have evolved differently while keeping in view its strategic relevance, domestic political structures as well as patterns of conflict and cooperation. All South Asian states except India consider China’s increasing influence in the region as a stabilising factor and have joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that presents huge economic opportunities to these states. India perceives China’s presence in the South Asian region as a challenge to its regional dominance and has been resisting it at regional level as well as beyond region by strengthening partnerships with the United States (U.S.) and other likeminded states. This study highlights the growing relevance of South Asia in China’s strategic calculus and the opportunities it offers to the regional states. It also discusses the dilemmas that some South Asian states face vis-à-vis maintaining a balanced relationship with India and China.
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