There is no doubt that there is immense scope and potential for Chinese investment in India, especially in infrastructure. New Delhi, for its part, should not be bogged down by the baggage of the past and must work to address key issues, such as bureaucracy, that are impeding Chinese investment.

The Australian Government opposes China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), largely on the grounds that it may help to end the United States-led order in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The Sino-Pakistani relationship was forged out of a common desire to limit India. It has since grown beyond that goal, even though it continues to underscore the relationship. The danger for Pakistan, however, is that it could grow over-dependent on China.

This Strategic Insight looks beyond our region and beyond China’s One Belt, One Road Initiative (BRI) to highlight how China is expanding its influence in Africa and the Middle East.

In Afghanistan, China recognises several economic and strategic opportunities to advance its goals in the region and beyond, including the opportunity to acquire access to much of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth.