Question 97 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Current
Affairs

Question

Belt and Road Initiative is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. China

Strategy: Identify the Belt and Road Initiative and recall its primary proponent, China.

Key Info: The **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)**, initially known as 'One Belt One Road' (OBOR), is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013. It was unveiled by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

*   **Objective**: To connect Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime networks, improving regional integration, increasing trade, and stimulating economic growth.
*   **Components**: It primarily comprises two parts:
    *   **Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB)**: A land-based network of roads, railways, and pipelines connecting China with Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe.
    *   **21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR)**: A sea-based network of shipping routes and port infrastructure extending from China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and Europe.
*   **Scope**: The initiative focuses on infrastructure development (ports, railways, roads, airports, power grids, telecommunications), investment, and trade facilitation across participating countries, mainly in Eurasia and Africa.
*   **Associated Institutions**: Financial support for BRI projects often comes from Chinese state-owned banks, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Silk Road Fund.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: African Union

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Brazil

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: European Union