QUESTION 19
GS3
12.5 marks
China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What threat does this pose for India’s security? Critically examine.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Critically examine the security threats CPEC poses to India.
Critically examineWeigh the strengths and the weaknesses, then give a balanced verdict.
Demand-wise check
- 1Threats: route through Gilgit-Baltistan (PoK) violates India's sovereignty; Chinese strategic presence at Gwadar near Gulf; two-front military collusion; legitimising Pakistan's claims≈35 words
- 2Indian Ocean angle: dual-use port facilities, Chinese submarines, String of Pearls≈35 words
- 3Critical view: CPEC slowed by security attacks in Balochistan, Pakistan's debt crisis; its economic gains are limited≈35 words
- 4India's response: opposed BRI, Chabahar port, IMEC, Quad, border infrastructure≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
CPEC explainedSovereignty and military threatsMaritime threatsLimits of CPECIndia's response
Where marks usually go
- Only listing threats without the 'critically' part on CPEC's own weaknesses
- No map of the Kashgar–Gilgit–Gwadar route through PoK
Draw this
- Map showing Kashgar-Khunjerab-Gilgit-Gwadar route with PoK highlighted and Chabahar nearby
Value addition
- ExampleIndia skipped the first Belt and Road Forum (May 2017), citing sovereignty over CPEC through PoK.MEA, 2017
- DataCPEC was announced in April 2015 with projected investment of about US$46 billion.Government of Pakistan, 2015
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 9 minutes, then get it checked.