Connectivity is an old game that great nations have played since times immemorial. To sustain its empire, Rome supposedly paved 55,000 miles of roads and built aqueducts across Europe. It is China’s turn to play this game now. Discussions on connectivity should address not only the physical infrastructure aspects but also the institutional, financial, commercial, legal, and management issues. International collaborative projects demand statecraft and sagacity of a unique order to reconcile different points of view.
May 24, 2017
Since it was launched two years ago, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has sparked praise, skepticism, and even violence, resulting in widespread confusion about what’s driving this $55 billion energy and infrastructure effort, and how it will impact the region.
Apr 14, 2017
Despite being characterized by high mountain ranges and desolate terrain, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has a rich history of civilizational exchanges. The region’s rugged topography has not stopped it from having strong linkages with the ancient Silk Road, whose southern branch connected the region with Xinjiang, China. In modern times, geostrategic interests and regional rivalries have transformed the region into a securitized zone. The de-facto Indo-Pak borders between Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh are dotted by flashpoints like Kargil (the site of 1999 Indo-Pak war) and Siachen (also the world’s highest battlefield). Today, GB once again finds itself at the intersection of a new Silk Road being paved by China.
Mar 3, 2017
Reconnecting Asia is tracking developments across a vast landmass that includes 60 percent of the global economy. Every day, new infrastructure projects are announced, some are advanced, and others encounter obstacles. Here is a selection of the top projects we’re watching in 2017.
Dec 21, 2016
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) traverses some of the world’s most dangerous terrain. According to the 2016 Global Terrorism Index, Pakistan is among the countries most impacted by terrorism. Within Pakistan, terrorist attacks are concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where combined casualties account for 76% of the national toll. CPEC’s western route passes through the heart of this unrest, with three out of its four sub-corridors running through the hotspots illustrated above. Since 2010, terrorist incidents and causalities have declined in Pakistan. But insecurity and the drivers behind this violence remain major risks for CPEC’s ambitious projects.
Dec 14, 2016