What is RANDI? Pakistan-China's joint think tank; All you need to know

New Delhi: Yes, you heard it right. As a step toward strengthening economic ties, Pakistan and China had launched a joint think tank called “Research and Development International” (RANDI) on the Chinese island of Hainan. The think tank will focus on research and development surrounding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a key initiative for both nations.

According to the Islamabad office of the Pakistan-China Institute, RANDI will be co-chaired by Madame Zhao Baige, a former minister and member of the Chinese parliament, and Senator Mushahid Hussain, the vice chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress. The think tank aims to establish an 'Information Corridor' that facilitates the exchange of knowledge between policymakers, scholars, specialists, and enterprises from both countries.

What is RANDI's motive? 

The Pakistan secretariat for RANDI will operate out of the Pakistan-China Institute in Islamabad, while the Chinese secretariat will be managed jointly by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the China Institute of Reform & Development (CIRD).

This development aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Pakistan, where he is set to launch $46 billion worth of projects that are pivotal to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. These infrastructure and energy projects aim to connect Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea with China’s western Xinjiang region, further deepening the strategic alliance between the two nations. However, the abbreviation ‘RANDI’ has caused amusement and mockery, especially across Indian social media, where users have highlighted the unfortunate naming choice. The situation has sparked a wave of humorous commentary, particularly after the news circulated on the official Twitter handle of the Pakistan Army, @defencepk.