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LIVE NOW: Lisa Curtis, NSC Senior Director for South & Central Asia, making remarks on China's influence in that region https://twitter.com/tanvi_madan/status/1288150016759128064
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis: "Few countries are more familiar with China's malign influence than India"
China's "recent aggressive stance [at LAC] fits with the larger pattern of Chinese aggressiveness in other parts of the world"
China's "recent aggressive stance [at LAC] fits with the larger pattern of Chinese aggressiveness in other parts of the world"
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis mentions the #Quad as seeking to "work together to ensure the integrity of the United Nations & other int'l organizations, & to cooperate to advance effective & transparent development solutions across the world."
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis mentions US cooperation w/ Maldives since "the people pushed back" in 2018 vs then President Yameen. Said he "had awarded construction contracts to Chinese cos. at inflated prices & w/o transparent bidding, leaving the Maldivian ppl w/ enormous debt"
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis mentions #US support to & CT cooperation w/ Sri Lanka after the 2019 Easter attacks. Says "in contrast, #China tried to obstruct #SriLanka's investigation & sought to spread disinformation about US counter-terrorism assistance"
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis: "even as the US competes w/ China in S & C Asia, we welcome cooperation where interests align. In Afghanistan, for example, 
has supported calls for reduction in violence in order to create an environment conducive to inter-Afghan negotiations"
has supported calls for reduction in violence in order to create an environment conducive to inter-Afghan negotiations"
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis: "The US has a deep & abiding respect for the Chinese ppl, & enjoys long-standing ties to the country. We do not seek to contain China's development..."
NSC Sr Director Lisa Curtis: "America's vision for the global order excludes no nation. We look forward to working with all countries that share our respect for sovereignty, individual liberty, fair & reciprocal trade, & the rule of law"
Lisa Curtis answers Q re change: "Chinese influence & activities in S Asia hv grown significantly over the last 20 yrs...25 yrs ago, China did not take India v seriously...viewed 
as more inward looking, lagging on their econ growth indicators." Says that changed abt 15 yrs ago
as more inward looking, lagging on their econ growth indicators." Says that changed abt 15 yrs ago
Lisa Curtis says recently in Nepal & Sri Lanka, Chinese influence has grown. "China not only wields econ clout in these countries but is also getting more involved in their internal politics. Bangladesh has shown a lil' bit more resiliency...more balanced foreign policy"
Lisa Curtis says "thankfully...beginning to see disengagement of [Chinese & Indian] forces after a few v tense weeks...but...the pressure that China put on India on the LAC will have a long-term impact on how India views the rel...will change the dynamics btwn the two"
Lisa Curtis: " demonstrated it has the will & capabilities to stand up to China..it played the economic card by banning Chinese apps & putting a hold on investment contracts. Rest of the Indo-Pacific region is watching this v carefully...wld be encouraged by India's resolve"
demonstrated it has the will & capabilities to stand up to China..it played the economic card by banning Chinese apps & putting a hold on investment contracts. Rest of the Indo-Pacific region is watching this v carefully...wld be encouraged by India's resolve"
Lisa Curtis: "S & C Asian nations are beginning to wake up to the downsides of the debt-trap diplomacy, & they are now seeking to avoid becoming over-exposed to China..."
Lisa Curtis: "Hope [S & C] countries will rely on int'l financial institutions for their [post-COVID] economic recovery & that this will help create incentives to be more transparent about debt owed to Chinese entities." Also mentions Blue Dot Network, Development Finance Corp
Lisa Curtis: "India has been a sceptic of the BRI from the beginning...they did not send a representative to the BRI conference in 2017 & I think their early skepticism of this effort is really bearing out. They seem fairly prescient right now"
. @BrookingsFP director @MaloneySuzanne asks abt situation in Xinjiang. Notes that while many in US, Eur hv criticized the camps, many countries in South & Cntrl Asia, & the Middle East "hv been more reticent to challenge China's practices publicly." Asks abt reasons, implications
Lisa Curtis: says C Asian countries hv economic interests so they "hedge their comments abt the repression of Muslims in Xinjiang" even though their publics have protested very vocally. Notes that large Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan hv also "failed to speak out"
Lisa Curtis: "the more we see China try to interfere in these other countries or spread their disinformation campaigns, try to manipulate the political discourse in these...countries, I think the more we'll see these S & C Asian countries begin to raise human rights concerns..."
Lisa Curtis: "The US is more willing to accept risk" in the US-China relationship
