A Study of Geopolitical and Geo-economic Competitions of China and India in Eurasia: connection Corridors and Geopolitics of Chabahar and Gwadar Ports

In the last two decades, China and India, with high economic growth, huge economy and extensive trade have emerged as two Asian powers and even global powers. The two countries have great regional and global ambitions. China is pursuing a new system of power relations and international relations through its Belt and Road Initiative. India also is trying to create a new convergence of power relations with its Asian policy, while expanding its sphere of influence. Both countries pursue a policy of connecting and accessing Eurasia''s geopolitical areas by adopting a geo-economic strategy. In this context, Pakistan and Iran have chosen appropriate options for the creation of connection corridors in Eurasia by China and India, with two main points being Gwadar and Chabahar ports. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate and explain the geopolitical and geo-economic competition between China and India in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor and to investigate the role of the two Chabahar and Gwadar ports in this competition.The two major Asian economies and powers have focused on connection corridors to expand the sphere of influence, export surplus products, access large consumer markets, secure and sustainable energy supply, and pursue national interests in peripheral areas. Chinese government decision makers and strategists have proposed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, based on the Port of Gwadar. This corridor is an important part of a major Silk Road rebuilt project called "One Belt One Road" or "Belt and Road Initiative". In contrast, the Indians proposed the "International North-South Transport Corridor" with the focus on Chabahar Port and the land of Iran. China''s presence in the Gwadar Port and India''s presence in the Chabahar Port are analyzed and explored in the context of China and India''s geopolitical and geoeconomic competitions in South Asia and access to Eurasia. Therefore, this study seeks to explain the geopolitical and geoeconomic competitions of China and India in these corridors and the geopolitical role of Gwadar and Chabahar ports in this competition.

This study focuses on two China-Pakistan economic corridors and International North–South Transport Corridor in Pakistan and Iran. The two oceanic ports of Gwadar and Chabahar are at the heart of this article. The research has done by descriptive-analytical method and the data is collected in a library manner.

The starting point of the International North–South Transport Corridor onshore route is Chabahar Port in southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province. The closest Iranian city to India is the Chabahar Port. Theis city is only oceanic port in Iran. The geographical location and the high potential of transit make the Indians pay special attention to Chabahar port. In addition, India''s long-standing rivalry with Pakistan in the Gwadar port and the massive Chinese investment in the port have increased the Indian government''s incentive to develop the Chabahar port to access Central Asian and Eurasian markets. Accordingly, Chabahar is India''s "golden gateway" to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Afghanistan and has broad potential for connecting business centers in South Asia (India), the Gulf region (Dubai), Central Asia and Afghanistan. Therefore, Chabahar port in India is of particular geostrategic, geopolitical and geo-economic importance. This is especially evident when the Chabahar port is seen in the context of the geopolitical and geo-economic competitions of China and India. From this point of view, Chabahar port is a focal point and gateway for the Indians who do not want to miss it easily.The two governments of China and Pakistan signed an agreement in 2013 to activate the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor whereby the Corridor Development Project will include the establishment of a rail, road and energy pipeline linking the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan Province, Pakistan. It connects to the Chinese city of Kashgar in Xinjiang province in western China. The Gwadar Port plays a central role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This port will be the key to China-Pakistan strategic relationship and the key to the future of China-Pakistan strategic relations and sustainable economy. China''s widespread investment in the Gwadar port, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Karakoram Highway is more than just an economic issue. China pursues broad strategic, geopolitical and geoeconomic goals in the project in the medium and long term. Geopolitically, China''s relationship with Pakistan to build the Gwadar Port is a strategic focal point in Belt and Road Initiative. On the one hand, it is a gateway to the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, Western Asia, South Asia and Indian Ocean, and on the other hand, the starting point for easy access to western China and the Karakoram plain and the ease of trade with Central Asian countries.It connects to the Chinese city of Kashgar in Xinjiang province in western China. The Gwadar Port plays a central role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This port will be the key to China-Pakistan strategic relationship and the key to the future of China-Pakistan strategic relations and sustainable economy. China''s widespread investment in the Gwadar port, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Karakoram Highway is more than just an economic issue. China pursues broad strategic, geopolitical and geoeconomic goals in the project in the medium and long term. Geopolitically, China''s relationship with Pakistan to build the Gwadar Port is a strategic focal point in Belt and Road Initiative. On the one hand, it is a gateway to the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, Western Asia, South Asia and Indian Ocean, and on the other hand, the starting point for easy access to western China and the Karakoram plain and the ease of trade with Central Asian countries.

The results show that India is working to improve its geopolitical and geo-economic weight against China and Pakistan through the Chabahar port and Iran’s Corridor. India try to achieve a regional balance of power with China by Iran’s space and Chabahar port.