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. The event, organized by the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) at the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), aimed to address environmental and geopolitical challenges in the Himalayas, particularly China’s growing influence.
Theme: Mapping China’s Himalayan Hustle
The forum 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. The first session, moderated by Jagannath Panda, discussed China’s assertiveness and its impact on the Indo-Pacific. The second session, led by Richard Ghiasy, addressed China’s strategic infrastructure and military presence in the Himalayas. The final session, moderated by Eerishika Pankaj, highlighted China’s dominance through hydropower and infrastructure projects.
Participants agreed on the importance of collaboration between India and the EU, and the role of the Quad in countering China’s influence. They also stressed the need for diplomatic alliances with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
Conclusion
The forum concluded with a consensus on the urgency of addressing environmental and geopolitical issues in the Himalayas. It highlighted the interconnectedness of climate change, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity, advocating for a comprehensive approach to tackle these challenges.
Doubts Revealed
Stockholm Forum -: The Stockholm Forum is a meeting where experts and leaders from different countries come together to discuss important issues. This particular forum is about the Himalayas, a big mountain range in Asia.
Himalaya -: The Himalayas are a large mountain range in Asia, home to the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. They are important for the environment and many people live near them.
China’s Influence -: China’s influence refers to the power and impact China has in the Himalayan region. This can be through building roads, railways, or having a strong military presence.
Global Collaboration -: Global collaboration means countries from around the world working together. In this context, it involves India, the EU, Japan, and Nordic countries teaming up to address issues in the Himalayas.
EU -: The EU, or European Union, is a group of countries in Europe that work together on various issues like trade, security, and the environment.
Nordic countries -: Nordic countries are a group of countries in Northern Europe, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. They often work together on international issues.
Geopolitical challenges -: Geopolitical challenges are problems related to the politics and geography of a region. In the Himalayas, this includes issues like border disputes and military presence.
Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs -: This is an organization based in Stockholm, Sweden, 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. In the Himalayas, China is building infrastructure to increase its influence.
Military strategies -: Military strategies are plans made by a country’s military to protect its interests and achieve its goals. In the Himalayas, this might involve where to place soldiers or build bases.
Climate change -: Climate change is the long-term change in Earth’s weather patterns, often caused by human activities. It affects the Himalayas by melting glaciers and changing weather patterns.
Regional connectivity -: Regional connectivity means how well different areas are linked together, like through roads or communication networks. In the Himalayas, this is important for trade and travel.