Iran and Afghanistan between China and India: Great Power Competition for Regional Connectivity in South and Central Asia

Abstract

The recent Sino–Iranian agreement of March 2021 has been seen mainly in terms of its impact upon Irano–American and Irano–Chinese relations and the Middle East. This article, instead explores how this agreement affects the Indo–Chinese rivalry now occurring in South and Central Asia. It examines in great detail India’s efforts to augment its position in Central Asia and how it has assigned Iran a prominent place in this campaign. Yet it failed to make the most of its chances, leaving the door open to China to step in and by this agreement undermine India’s (and Russia’s position) in South and Central Asia. The article focuses on trade and transportation issues as expressed in contending inter–continental trade and transport projects (the BRI and INSTC). But it concludes with an examination of the tie-in between the Sino–Iranian agreements and their overall implications of military and security issues throughout the Indian Ocean region and Central Asia. Thus, it ties together economic, trade, transportation, and security issues throughout South and Central Asia as well as the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).