UPSC Themes

UPSC CSE Mains 2018 · GS3

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.

Theme

T114 China: BRI, CPEC, String of Pearls & economic leverage

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask BRI turning South Asia into a great-power theatre, China using trade surplus to build military power, String of Pearls and India's counter-steps, and CPEC threats to India.

What to cover

Writing the answer

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 5 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

This question also needs

T168 Border management: China & Pakistan borders, BADP, drones, airspace, Ladakh

On the map

Map module 1: Physical IndiaMap module 2: Drainage & water bodiesMap module 4: World physical frameworkMap module 10: Neighbourhood & sea routesMap module 11: Borders & internal security

More PYQs from this theme

  1. GS2202615 marks

    “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

  2. GS22017

    ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour.

  3. GS32014

    China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What threat does this pose for India’s security? Critically examine.

  4. GS22013

    What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.

All 20 GS3 2018 questions · Technology, Economy, Environment, Security & Disaster Management · Report a typo