UPSC Mains 2018 GS3 Q9 — International Relations
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China's larger 'One Belt One Road' initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Give a brief descriptionenumerate
- Scope keywords
- China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)cardinal subsetOne Belt One RoadIndia has distanced itself
- Implicit sub-parts
- What are the physical components of CPEC (Kashgar to Gwadar) and its strategic significance for China?
- How does CPEC directly violate India's territorial integrity and sovereignty?
- What are the broader security and economic implications for India regarding the 'String of Pearls' and regional stability?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing too much on OBOR/BRI generally instead of focusing specifically on the CPEC subset.
- Failing to mention the specific geography of Gilgit-Baltistan as the primary sovereignty concern.
- Ignoring the 'Debt Trap' diplomacy aspect as a reason for India's distancing.
- Omitting the strategic threat posed by the dual-use nature of Gwadar Port.
- Dimensions required
- Sovereignty and Territorial IntegrityStrategic/Geopolitical SecurityEconomic SustainabilityInternational Law/Multilateralism
- Marks allocation hint
Spend approximately 40 words on the description of CPEC (key nodes and connectivity). Devote the remaining 110 words to a structured enumeration of India's objections, prioritizing sovereignty over PoK first, followed by security concerns and the lack of transparency/financial sustainability.
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