▲Sujit Kumar Datta(2025), Emerging Power Rivalry: Analyzing Shifts In Sino-Indian Policy  Towards The South Asian Region, SPEKTRUM, Vol. 22, No. 1, 2025.

Abstract：This article delves into the evolving power dynamics between China and India in the South  Asian region, aiming to scrutinize how their respective policies have shifted in response to emerging  geopolitical rivalries. The research objective is to dissect the strategic maneuvers and policy  adaptations of both nations, with a focus on understanding the implications for regional stability and  power balance. Key research questions include: How have Sino-Indian relations evolved in the context  of South Asian geopolitics? What are the primary drivers of their policy shifts? How do these shifts  affect the smaller South Asian states? Through a comprehensive analysis of policy documents,  diplomatic exchanges, and strategic initiatives, the research finds that both China and India are  increasingly asserting their influence through economic investments, military presence, and  diplomatic engagements. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India’s Act East Policy are  pivotal to their regional strategies. The research argues that while these policies aim to bolster their  respective spheres of influence, they also exacerbate tensions and competition, thereby impacting  regional alliances and economic development. The findings underscore a nuanced power rivalry  where economic diplomacy, infrastructural projects, and security concerns intersect, revealing a  complex interplay of cooperation and contention. This rivalry not only reshapes bilateral relations  between China and India but also significantly affects the geopolitical landscape of South Asia,  necessitating a reevaluation of existing regional policies and alliances.

Keywords: Sino-Indian Politics, Belt and Road Initiative, Indo-Pacific Strategy, Act East Policy,  Rivalry, Geopolitics.

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