Gandhāra and the Silk Road Legacy: Cultural Heritage under BRI Cooperation

Abstract

The reinterpretation of Gandhāran heritage sites in Swat and Taxila within China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where cultural heritage is used as a tool for regional connectivity and diplomacy, is examined in this article.  Based on cultural diplomacy and critical heritage studies, it takes an interdisciplinary approach using archaeological, policy, and heritage management sources.  Although BRI collaboration encourages restoration, museum growth, and digital preservation, the study highlights issues with local participation, authenticity, and commercialization.  It recommends that cooperative governance that strikes a balance between diplomatic, cultural, and developmental objectives is necessary to preserve Gandhāra's legacy.

Keywords: Gandhāra, Swat Valley, Taxila, Silk Road, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Cultural Heritage, Sino-Pakistan Cooperation, Cultural Diplomacy

DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/60-01

Publication date: February 28^th 2026