First Stockholm Forum on Himalaya: Addressing China’s Influence with Global Collaboration
The inaugural Stockholm Forum on Himalaya took place in Sweden, focusing on the need for stronger collaboration between India, the European Union, Japan, and Nordic countries. Organized by the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) at the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), the forum aimed to address environmental and geopolitical challenges posed by China’s growing influence in the Himalayas.
Theme: Mapping China’s Himalayan Hustle
The conference explored China’s role as a neo-revisionist power, examining its infrastructure development, military strategies, and diplomatic initiatives in the region. Experts from India, Europe, East Asia, and the US discussed the implications of China’s ambitions, emphasizing the need for strategic engagement.
Key Sessions and Discussions
Three sessions focused on China’s regional strategy. Jagannath Panda, Head of SCSA-IPA, moderated a panel on China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Discussions highlighted China’s efforts to outcompete the US and limit India’s influence through infrastructure and geopolitical tensions.
Richard Ghiasy, a Senior Fellow at Leiden Asia Center, led a session on China’s strategic infrastructure and military presence in the Himalayas. Concerns were raised about China’s control over water resources affecting India and Bangladesh.
Eerishika Pankaj, Director of the Organisation for Research on China and Asia, moderated the final discussion on China’s dominance through hydropower and infrastructure projects. The need for collaboration between India and the EU was emphasized, with initiatives like the Global Gateway and satellite cooperation highlighted.
Conclusion and Future Steps
The forum concluded with a consensus on the urgency of addressing environmental and geopolitical issues in the Himalayas. Participants stressed the importance of collaboration to tackle shared challenges, including climate change and regional connectivity. The forum marked a significant step towards fostering dialogue among global players to navigate the complexities of the Himalayan region.
Doubts Revealed
Stockholm Forum -: The Stockholm Forum is a meeting or conference held in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, where experts and leaders gather to discuss important global issues.
Himalaya -: The Himalayas are a large mountain range in Asia, home to the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. They are important for their natural beauty and resources.
China’s Influence -: China’s influence refers to the power and impact China has in the Himalayas, which can include building roads, railways, and military bases.
Global Collaboration -: Global collaboration means countries from around the world working together to solve problems or address challenges.
EU -: The EU, or European Union, is a group of 27 countries in Europe that work together on economic and political issues.
Nordic countries -: Nordic countries are a group of countries in Northern Europe, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs -: This is an organization based in Stockholm that studies and discusses issues related to South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, which includes countries like India and Japan.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure refers to the basic physical systems of a country, like roads, bridges, and buildings, which are important for its economy and daily life.
Military strategies -: Military strategies are plans and actions taken by a country’s military to protect its interests and achieve its goals.
Geopolitical issues -: Geopolitical issues are problems or challenges that arise from the way countries interact with each other, often involving politics, geography, and economics.