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Question 63 of 72 · World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies
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The 'One Belt One Road' (Belt and Road) initiative was proposed by:

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Answer: Option B — China

Detailed Solution

The "One Belt One Road" (OBOR) initiative, now officially called the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI), was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

About the Belt and Road Initiative:

It is a massive global infrastructure and investment programme aimed at improving connectivity and trade between China and the rest of Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond.

It was announced in two parts in 2013:

  • "Silk Road Economic Belt" (the "Belt"): land routes; announced by Xi Jinping in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September 2013.
  • "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" (the "Road"): sea routes; announced in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October 2013.
  • It is inspired by the ancient Silk Road trade routes.
  • It includes building roads, railways, ports, pipelines, power plants and industrial parks.
  • About 150 countries have signed cooperation documents with China under the BRI.
  • It was written into China's Constitution (Communist Party Constitution) in 2017.
  • China holds "Belt and Road Forums" (2017, 2019 and 2023) in Beijing.

Important BRI projects:

  • CPEC, launched in 2015: links Kashgar (Xinjiang, China) to Gwadar port (Balochistan, Pakistan).
  • Hambantota port (Sri Lanka).
  • China-Laos Railway (2021).
  • Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (Indonesia, 2023).
  • Mombasa-Nairobi railway (Kenya).

India's position:

India has opposed the BRI and refused to attend the Belt and Road Forums, mainly because CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which India considers its territory. India says the BRI violates its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India has also raised concerns about "debt traps" (unsustainable debts), lack of transparency and environmental effects.

Italy, the only G7 country to have joined, withdrew from the BRI in 2023.

Alternatives to the BRI:

  • "Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment" (PGII) by the G7 (2022).
  • "Global Gateway" by the European Union (2021).
  • "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor" (IMEC), announced at the G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023).
  • India's own connectivity projects: Chabahar port (Iran), the Kaladan project (Myanmar), and the "International North-South Transport Corridor" (INSTC) with Russia and Iran.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Russia is part of the INSTC with India and Iran.
  • ✗Japan has promoted "quality infrastructure" as an alternative.
  • ✗India has opposed the BRI.

Quick tip

Remember: One Belt One Road / Belt and Road Initiative = China (Xi Jinping, 2013; Belt announced in Kazakhstan, Road in Indonesia); CPEC = Kashgar to Gwadar (India opposes, as it passes through PoK); alternative = IMEC (2023).

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World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers world GK: countries with their capitals, currencies and parliaments, national symbols, famous landmarks, the longest, largest and highest features of the world, and international boundary lines such as the Radcliffe, McMahon and Durand Lines. The most common questions match a country with its capital or currency, or a parliament with its name (such as the Knesset of Israel or the Diet of Japan). Revise countries continent by continent, giving extra attention to India's neighbours. Questions on boundary lines usually ask which two countries a line separates. Practise the world GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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