The Infrastructure Rush: Between Geopolitical Competition, Natural Resources Exploitation and Resistance(s)

Keywords: China, infrastructure, Pakistan, BRI, CPEC, PE, development
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 25

Abstract

Traditionally led by Western lead multilateral development banks and global governance institutions, infrastructure financing and development is becoming a central topic of debate within and outside academia. Since the first formulation of the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) in 2013, competition rather than cooperation took the lead in this context. As a response to counteract China, several connectivity strategies have been created unilaterally with little if none coordination. In fact, these respacing projects are implemented outside multilateralism and, mostly, to strengthen state power and interests of the financing country. Infrastructure are part of a broader exploitation and dispossession project of natural and energy resources of local population. The paper focuses on Gwadar, Pakistan an area that rose to prominence thanks to its geostrategic position and for the huge amount of funding and investment mobilized by China in the area. The paper addresses the policymaking process, the actors behind, and the different types of financing used for the construction of the Gwadar Port and the connected Gwadar free trade area. It highlights how Gwadar is at the centre of a geopolitical competition but at the same time is a loci of resistance for Baloch people. It details two opposite discourses: the ‘official’ one focusing on the economic development of the area and the one promoted by Baloch people which frames resistance around natural resources exploitation, dispossession and independence. It concludes with a discussion on how to leverage on resistance to advance local communities priorities in
infrastructure development.