The China Factor: Beijing’s Expanding Engagement in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and Myanmar

Contents: Introduction. Acknowledgements. Overview. 1. The Middle Kingdom: China’s Aspirations and the Importance of History. 2. The Belt and Road Initiative. 3. Sri Lanka: China’s Increasing Influence in Sri Lanka. 4. Maldives: China’s Wider Ambitions in the Maldives. 5. Bangladesh: China’s Balanced and Cautious Engagement with Bangladesh. 6. Myanmar: China’s Multi-Faceted Relations with Myanmar. Conclusion. Endnotes.

India’s relations with China are at a crossroads. Apart from examining the complex and dynamic bilateral relations, it is equally important to highlight the nuances of China’s engagement with the countries in India’s neighbourhood and understand the strategic implications that arise for New Delhi.

Shantanu Roy-Chaudhury’s The China Factor explores Beijing’s political, economic, and defence relations with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, and weighs the dividends of the bilateral relationships to better comprehend the geopolitical subtleties in the region. How China’s engagement in the region is also linked to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s wider ambitions of national rejuvenation is also illuminated upon. The book subsequently draws out the implications for India, illuminates New Delhi’s engagement with its neighbours and suggests policy recommendations for a way forward.

Drawing from diverse sources, including government documents and literature from India, China, and the countries being studied, along with interviews with serving and former officials, The China Factor offers a detailed investigation into China’s engagement with India’s neighbourhood, which necessitates a deeper understanding as New Delhi manoeuvres the tectonic shifts in its external environment.