DNA Edit – Smoke and mirrors: China is making it tough for Indian infra firms

Expect a game of smoke and mirrors when it comes to Sino-Indian relations. The latest in this saga on Beijing’s New Delhi baiting comes from that country’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. Reports suggest that Indian construction companies are being edged out from the OBOR projects because China is constantly changing rules, making it difficult for Indian companies to even bid for tenders. While the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) connects the Chinese province of Xinjiang with Pakistan’s Gwadar port, there are other sections of the OBOR, coming up in friendly neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar, which are becoming out of bounds for Indian infrastructure majors. In an effort to keep Indian companies at bay, China has been introducing new specifications, bringing in new algorithms and changing the rules of business, as is their wont.

Clearly, India is left with only one option then - to pay back the dragon in its own coin. It takes two to play a game and New Delhi could begin by disallowing Chinese firms from participating in Indian infrastructure projects. India has refused to participate in this ambitious Chinese mega-project, ostensibly aimed at facilitating connectivity including transport infrastructure for linking all sub-regions in Asia. It envisages construction of a range of highways, railway lines, ports and industrial corridors. India, which has cited sovereignty issues over construction in Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that it regards as Indian territory, has consistently declined Chinese invitations to participate in the project. She is the only country of consequence in this region to have done so. China has not taken too kindly to a vast economic entity like India keeping out of its project; hence the dilatory tactics.