The Impact of China's Growing Influence in South Asia on India's Regional Approach

Abstract

This paper examines the emerging dynamics of China's increasing footprint in South Asia and their implications for India's regional strategy. With China increasing its economic, political, and military engagements with South Asian countries with initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India perceives its traditional status as the dominant regional power to be thoroughly challenged. This research analyzes the multifaceted rivalry between these two Asian giants, more precisely the ways in which India changed its foreign policy, security policy, and economic policies in response to the growing influence of China. The evidences indicate that India pursued a multi-dimensional approach of consolidating bilateral relations, developing regional integration mechanisms, establishing strategic partnerships beyond the region, and doubling its own development aid schemes. But structural constraints like economic limitations and historic regional competition still exist to challenge India's capacity to effectively counter Chinese influence in its own immediate neighbourhood.