Indo–Iran Nexus: Implications for Sino–Pakistani Relations

The present study examines the geopolitical rivalry and the maritime strategies of the Chabahar and Gwadar marine port in the surroundings of the Indo–Iranian and Sino–Pakistani so‐called nexuses as it relates to the new security and economic environment across South Asia. Applying the Balance of Threat theory, elaborated by Stephen Walt, the research describes how the impression of threats and not power only drive alliances and infrastructure investment in the region. Though, Chabahar – part of an Indian and Iran contract which provides significant accessibility to Afghanistan and Central Asia, avoided through Pakistani route, Gwadar, backed by China and Pakistan – is a deep‐water portable intersection assimilated alongside the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These ports are characterized by the lack of collaboration and the continuous security issues and violent outside geopolitical interventions, most notably the US sanctions on Iran, which violently disregard the strategies of one another despite being located closer. This paper brings to light the economic and extra‐economic roles of these ports as resources of competition and means of regional affect and security competition. The strengthened connectivity, multilateral mechanisms, and discussions about conflict reducing maritime security cooperation are proposed as the means of promoting regional cooperation. The study highlights the paradoxical feature of dealing with historical South Asian power relations and proposing balanced policies for sustainable regional integration in the context of changing dynamics in the region.