The Blue Dot Network

The Blue Dot Network is like the ‘Michelin Guide’ for infrastructure projects. The USA is reported to be in plans to counter China’s influence with this network.

• What is the Blue Dot Network?

The Blue Dot Network is an initiative to rate infrastructure projects internationally. This multi-stakeholder initiative will be like ‘Michelin Guide’ (for rating restaurants) for infrastructure projects. The network is expected ‘to promote high quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development’.

• What parameters are covered under the Blue Dot Network?

The Blue Dot Network will evaluate infrastructure projects on various parameters like the level of public consultation, transparency in funding, debt traps and environment norms. Based on how far the project meets the standards, they will earn a ‘blue dot’.

• Which countries are part of the Blue Dot Network?

The Blue Dot Network project is being led by USA. Japan and Australia are already partners in this project. USA is expected to pitch the idea to India during the US President’s state visit in February. India may consider the proposal in light of the QUAD cooperation.

• The Blue Dot Network is seen as a way to counter which international project?

The Blue Dot Network is being seen as a way to counter the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China. While the BRI is criticized for using ‘debt trap diplomacy’, the Blue Dot Project is being pitched as providing ‘supporting alternatives to predatory lending’.