Public diplomacy and Chinese human intelligence operations in south Asia a critical assessment

Abstract

The theft of advanced technologies from developed countries has played prominent role in emergence of China as second powerful nation of the world. With the largest population and influential diaspora China has been able to collect colossal human intelligence (humint) subtly through public diplomacy from the developed countries. With the inescapable requirement of youths to replace its depleting working population, absorb its surplus capital and production/construction capabilities, securing continental and maritime transit routes for uninterrupted energy supply and out flow of finished products, China has shifted its humint focus towards South Asian regions from the beginning of the 21st century. newlineWithin two decades, China has already established its humint footprints in the critical choke points of South Asia and is expanding rapidly. The precarious economic condition of the region coupled with the invitational trend of nations has facilitated China in establishing its humint footprints in the region The instrument of public diplomacy used by China for humint collection includes cultural informational, financial, elite-to-elite and exchange diplomacy. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has emerged as the keel for Chinese humint operations through public diplomacy. Out of six major BRI projects, four projects either pass through or pass close to Indian continental and maritime boundaries. The growing Chinese humint footprints in the South Asian region invariable augment China capabilities to project its power and are detrimental to Indian strategic interest. In the past, India with almost similar public diplomacy capabilities has not reaped the inherent potential of generating humint through public diplomacy. There is an inescapable requirement of drawing attention on growing Chinese footprints in the region and initiating comprehensive steps to harness humint capabilities through public diplomacy by learning the Chinese modus operandi for augmenting our capabilities and denying the same to China. newline newline