The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure and economic development strategy of the government of China, also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR). This scheme/concept was launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who announced the initiative in September 2013 during a visit to Kazakhstan. The BRI was created to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks, aiming to promote economic development and address an "infrastructure gap" in developing economies. The mechanism comprises two major components: the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt and the sea-based 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Its stated goals, outlined in a 2015 document, include policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds. Countries formally join by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China. The initiative connects to the multilateral Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which helps finance projects. A prominent bilateral project under the BRI is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Recently, the BRI has shifted its focus; in November 2021, China pivoted toward "small and beautiful" projects, moving away from mega-infrastructure. Furthermore, China committed in September 2021 to stop building new coal-fired power plants abroad, emphasizing sustainability and a "green" BRI. The initiative has also expanded to include the Digital Silk Road (DSR), focusing on 5G networks and data centers.
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The Indian monsoon contributes about 75% of total annual rainfall, crucial for agriculture that employs ~42% of the workforce.
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