While the projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) understandably receive the bulk of attention, the BRI investment pattern is much more complex and inclusive of other South Asian states. Dominated by energy projects for coal, wind, and hydro power and transmission lines, as well as road and railway systems, China and Pakistan share a focus on expanding trade and port channels. At the cutting edge of future collaboration, the reported intention of Pakistan becoming one of the early adherents to the Beidou satellite system through its strong BRI involvement indicates how the Digital Silk Road may play a bigger regional role in the future.

When it comes to Bangladesh and Myanmar, much of their connectivity with China similarly predates the BRI and yet the expansion of such projects as the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor indicates the pivotal role that connector countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar can play. Within this, Myanmar has also expanded cooperation with China through its own China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and to include not just railways and pipelines, but also its own Kyaukpyu Deep Sea Port.

Within these deliberations, Sri Lanka’s own Hambantota Port has occupied most of the headlines about debt structure in the region. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge has similarly attracted concerns, which were mitigated to a degree through financing terms under Public-Private Partnership on a Design Build Finance Maintain Operate (DBFMO) basis.