UPSC Mains 2026 · GS II · Q20 · 15 marks · 250 words

“China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed South Asia from a regional space into a theatre of great power competition.” Analyse the strategic implications of the BRI for India’s security and regional influence in South Asia.

हिन्दी में

“चीन के बेल्ट एंड रोड इनिशिएटिव (BRI) ने दक्षिण एशिया को एक क्षेत्रीय भू-क्षेत्र से बदलकर महाशक्तियों की प्रतिस्पर्धा के रंगमंच में परिवर्तित कर दिया है ।” दक्षिण एशिया में भारत की सुरक्षा और क्षेत्रीय प्रभाव पर BRI के रणनीतिक प्रभावों का विश्लेषण कीजिए ।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Indo-Pacific in recent times has emerged as zone of diverging interests and priorities. Discuss. Do you think Global Security Initiative will supercede Quad in the region?”

Kush MotwaniAIR 11 · CSE 2023 · 242 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the new theatre for global cooperation, collaboration, competition and conflict, as it is lying along several of the major geopolitical "arcs" - such as the "arc of communication" (SLOCs).

Body · points and prose

Diverging interests and priorities:

  1. Chinese resistance/issues with Quad.

  2. Chinese opposition to a "free and open, secure and prosperous" Indo Pacific.

  3. Diverging views on Taiwan.

  4. Potential disruption possible from the multiple Sea Lanes of Communication.

  5. Territorial disputes in South China Sea.

  6. Differing view/priorities on using oceanic resources. (Eg) weather to use deep sea gas reserves.

  7. Different priorities for connectivity projects

Diagram
- China: Belt and Road Initiative - USA: Indo Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF) - India, Japan, etc: priority to smaller projects, such as India-Africa Growth Corridor
  1. Different priorities for developmental approach :
Diagram
- China: Beijing consensus vs - USA: New Washington Consensus

Global Security Initiative (GSI)

  1. New initiative proposed by china
  2. focused on "joint security" / "indivisible security"
  3. against process of sanctions
  4. opposing unilateral actions
  5. opposing hegemonic practices

Can Global Security Initiative supercede Quad While the principle of GSI is undoubtedly noble - it is not trusted by the world as it comes from China :

  1. The principle opposes unilateral actions ↓ yet china undertakes such actions routinely

  2. Principle opposes hegemony ↓ yet China wants regional hegemony for itself

  3. Principle ↓ about joint security

Close · a way forward

↓ yet - china routinely violates security of others. (eg): border with India, south China sea, etc

Hence, due to these contradictions, GSI can never supersede other organizations.

Yet, if principles of GSI were to be proposed seriously, its principles may become successful one day.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II, Q20. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.