The proposed 25-year China-Iran trade deal is causing some concern in India, which has reportedly been mooting the possibility of getting on board the U.S. anti-China Indo-Pacific strategy. The Hindustan Times on June 15 expressed dismay that Iran’s traditional “neither East nor West” policy seems to be out the window with the close relationship to China. It also expressed concern that India’s part in a new port in Chabahar, Iran and a straight rail connection to Central Asia may now be in danger.
It also notes that the new relationship also links up Iran closer to Pakistan, with envisioned rail links between the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and a new rail grid in Iran, with the possibility of a rail link between the CPEC terminus of Gwadar port in Pakistan with Iran’s Chabahar port.
