Political Deterrence Versus Economic Interdependence: The Approaches of the United States and India towards China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative

This article examines the negative stances of the United States and India towards the “Belt and Road” Initiative (BRI), their attempts to discredit it rhetorically, all while maintaining extensive trade and economic relations with China. Since its proposal in 2013, the “Belt and Road” Initiative has gained substantial international support and attracted a wide range of participating countries, thereby emerging as a significant force promoting global cooperation and economic development. However, due to geopolitical considerations, the United States and India have raised numerous criticisms against it, aiming to diminish its appeal among third countries. The article analyzes the arguments promoted by the United States against the Belt and Road Initiative, such as “neo-colonialism”, “geo-expansionism”, the “Chinese version of the Marshall Plan”, and the stigmatization of environmental standards, as well as India’s opposition based on fears of losing regional influence in South Asia and a lack of strategic trust. The study finds that, despite strategic resistance, both the United States and India maintain close economic interdependence with China, making significant “decoupling” unlikely in the foreseeable future. This contradiction between political and economic imperatives reveals the external challenges facing the Belt and Road Initiative, while also providing important insights for advancing its high-quality.