Paper short abstract:

This paper will look at how China, with its increasing influence and co-operation in South Asia, is helping various regional states to adjust their foreign policy behavior in accordance to the changing regional and international order and is acting as a balancer in the region’s foreign policy dynamics.

Paper long abstract:

South Asia's strategic position, its complex history and the presence of two rival nuclear powers makes it one of the most vulnerable and important regions in international politics. The long lasting rivalry between India and Pakistan has for more than 60 years dominated the region's foreign policy. Traditionally, the US and India have been the two major players that has greatly influenced the South Asian security and politics. However, over the last decade, the region has witnessed a growing Chinese presence and influence. While many in India and the US regard China as a spoiler in the region, China's common land borders with several states in South Asia including, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Nepal and its increasing geopolitical clout make China's ventures in the region very significant. In addition, China has over the years strengthened its cooperation with various regional states in all the important domains (economic, political, military and strategic), resulting in the emergence of a "Chinese Sphere of Influence" in South Asia extending from Pakistan to Nepal passing through the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

This paper intends to look at how China's presence and influence in the region are altering the conduct of various South Asian states, providing them with enough margin of maneuverability to reformulate and realign certain aspects of their foreign policies, thereby playing the role of a balancer in the region's complex geopolitics.