Sino-Indian Competition of Concepts and Narratives: Implications for Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract

China and India are hectically engaged in a competition of developing concepts and establishing narratives in the Asian ambiance. For controlling concepts and narratives is tantamount to controlling behaviours, actions and finally everything. The Chinese connectivity concept is speedily spreading and is resultantly creating a ripple effect in the South Asian region. New Delhi is the strategic rival of Beijing in the region, hence it is giving equal response to the Chinese concept, especially to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. As a qualitative and analytical study with neorealist-constructivist wedlock, this study uses secondary data from various sources, including books, research and newspaper articles etc. and content data analysis technique for analyzing the competitive behaviours of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of India (ROI). The study finds that China and India are developing concepts and establishing narratives for fulfilling their global ambitions and objectifying their hegemonic aspirations. Towards that end, they are using all the available sources of conflict, even their longstanding territorial disputes, contested border and zones of influence. The study finds that the CPEC concept is supporting and strengthening the Chinese connectivity narrative, hence the Indian responses are CPEC-specific or in other words Pakistan-specific. Therefore, Pakistan is becoming a scapegoat between Beijing and New Delhi.