China-South Asia initiative

Context:

• India can join the China-led South Asian initiative for COVID-19 vaccines and poverty alleviation too if it so desires, said Bangladesh Foreign Minister

About China-South Asia initiative:

• It is a china led initiative that leads to the creation of the China-South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve, and a Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre.
• The China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre was launched in China and barring India, ambassadors of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh were invited to China.
• The Center aims to pool strength, integrate resources, and exchange wisdom to support and help the South Asian countries' economic development and livelihood improvement, jointly promoting the cause of poverty reduction.
• It is a minus-India initiative. China has also excluded Bhutan and Maldives.

India’s position

• India is unlikely to consider this grouping involving China, that could be seen to dilute its role in the SAARC region.
• Some experts suggest that it is a “Minus India” initiative.
• India is the only country of all eight SAARC nations that has not requested or accepted Chinese COVID vaccines.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-is-welcome-to-join-china-south-asia-grouping/article35433572.ece