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Noteworthy excerpts from a Masters thesis by US Navy Lieutenant Anton Balsirow (June 2019), paper reviewed also by Pakistan Army Brigadier (Retired) Feroz Khan [Thread]

"India’s opposition to the BRI has been marked by increased actions on diplomatic fronts as well as increased cooperation with China and anti-Chinese parties. India clearly propagates an ambiguous strategy."

"Pakistan’s involvement in CPEC is indicative of its desire to match Indian power. Until now, it lacked the strategic importance for complete Chinese attention and investment."

"Although Pakistan is playing a role on the larger scale, the BRI’s promised growth will enable it to play from a better position as it aims to challenge Indian hegemony in South Asia."

"The United States should encourage and aid Indian efforts to export infrastructure development to interregional nations."

"India’s desire to maintain the U.S.-led and -built international order must be used to U.S. advantage."

"United States should increase and accelerate maritime cooperation exercises between the Indian Navy and USINDOPACOM naval assets."

"Additional security training and force-interoperability training should also be fielded through QUAD channels."

"India’s non-support for the BRI stems from the strategic and normative threat it poses to Indian power. The United States, therefore, could also be dismissed if its policies appear to replicate Chinese assertiveness."

"Pakistan has begun witnessing a decrease of its value in U.S. strategic calculations. As a result, the United States has pushed Pakistan further into China’s orbit."

"The United States must take measures to secure an amicable relationship with Pakistan to obfuscate the Sino-Pakistani bloc."

"If the BRI proves to be successful, China will have secured key lines of communication in terms of energy, economic, and military access."

"...the main area of concern remains to be the growing PRC influence and military presence in the region. The U.S. cannot afford inaction in South Asia."