China's Membership in SAARC: An Anxiety for India

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Abstract

With the dawn of the twenty-first century, the South Asian strategic landscape has witnessed significant shifts. The space has been predominantly shaped by the competitive rivalry between India and Pakistan, which is now witnessing a paradigmatic shift with the increasing Chinese influence in the region. Of which, the most noteworthy is that of the changing balance of power in South Asia. That is, China’s increasing economic and political clout is counter-balancing India’s longstanding supremacy. This is causing instability in the South Asian geostrategic environment. With this systemic power shift at play, India suffers an anxiety over China’s growing influence in its strategic backyard. The exemplary to India’s concern is evident in India’s strong resistance to grant China a full membership in SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).