Geopolitics Quarterly

Geopolitics Quarterly

Analyzing the effects of China-India economic corridors on geopolitical competition between them in the light of critical geopolitical theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of International Relations, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Law, ET.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Regional Studies. UT, Tehran, Iran,
10.22034/igq.2026.550477.2095
Abstract
China and India, two emerging powers in the world, have become major competitors in the regional and global arenas with rapid economic growth and development of strategic infrastructure. China, through large strategic projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative and a network of economic corridors, and India, through the IMAC and North-South corridors, are seeking to contain each other and maintain and expand their geopolitical and economic influence in the world. This research is prepared using a qualitative method with an analytical-explanatory approach, and the main research question is to examine the effects of these corridors on geopolitical competition between them in the light of the theory of critical geopolitics. Data were collected from library sources and foreign policy documents and analyzed based on the theoretical framework of critical geopolitics. The hypothesis of the research is that these corridors have increased geopolitical competition and regional influence and intensified conflicts of power and identity between them. The results of the research from a critical geopolitical perspective show that China and India have taken steps in two major directions in the direction of geopolitical competition and regional influence, taking advantage of regional and global corridors, and in the direction of representing the boundaries of power and identity.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 September 2026

  • Receive Date 19 October 2025
  • Revise Date 29 August 2026
  • Accept Date 13 September 2026