Asia Pacific, 2019 Vol. 37, pp. 35–48 BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE OF CHINA Saba Sahar * Dr Ishrat Afshan Abbasi † Dr Ramzan Kolachi ‡ Abstract Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) also recognized as One Belt and One Road (OBOR) is currently renowned external policy initiative of China for regional connectivity. It is a massive infrastructure and transportation project. The study attempts to understand this initiative in broader perspective in terms of big changes at regional and global level. This paper argues that BRI is not just a project of building roads and bridges, but it will simultaneously heighten strategic and economic capability of China. Furthermore, it argues that, China’s quest to enhance regional connectivity will be purely based on economic activities. In the meantime, Beijing will use its fiscal leverage to influence the policies of aligned countries to line up with its interests. This paper addresses three main questions: What is the significance of BRI with emphasis on its main objectives? How does this initiative help advance China’s interests? What are the expected challenges to BRI? Key words: Regional connectivity, Trade, Geo-economics, International politics, Gwadar, Introduction Chinese President Xi Jinping promulgated its BRI strategy in the year 2013 in order to strengthen its connectivity with the world. BRI combines projects covering land route and maritime routes. The * PhD Scholar at Department of International Relations, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Email: saba_solangi@hotmail.com † Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Email:abbasiishrat39@yahoo.com (Corresponding Author) ‡ Teaching Assistant, Department of International Relations, University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Email: ramzanmkolachi@gmail.com