Joint Strategic Approach of India and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the South Caucasus: With an Emphasis on the Development of the North–South Corridor

Shojaie, Amirroham; Velayati, Seyed Mehdi

doi:10.22034/ca.2025.731855

Joint Strategic Approach of India and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the South Caucasus: With an Emphasis on the Development of the North–South Corridor

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Amirroham Shojaie ¹

Seyed Mehdi Velayati ²

¹ PhD student in International Relations, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

² Master's student in International Relations, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/ca.2025.731855

Abstract

The Islamic Republic of Iran and India differ significantly in their foreign policy orientations. While India, despite certain ups and downs, has largely aligned itself with the Western-led global order, Iran has consistently maintained a confrontational stance toward it. Despite these profound differences, the two countries have converged on certain geoeconomic issues—particularly in the South Caucasus and the development of the North-South Corridor—based on their respective national interests. This study seeks to answer the central question: What factors have contributed to the emergence of joint strategic approaches between Iran and India in the South Caucasus, and specifically regarding the development of the North-South Corridor? The hypothesis suggests that Iran’s unique geopolitical and geoeconomic characteristics—and their value to India—alongside the significant mutual benefits derived from this project, have facilitated bilateral cooperation in this shared endeavor. The findings indicate that although the project has achieved relative progress due to its shared advantages, the sustained pursuit of joint strategies in this domain remains contingent upon broader variables at the international system level as well as regional dynamics. Methodologically, this research adopts an analytical-explanatory approach and is grounded in the theory of geoeconomics, relying on library-based sources, including academic articles, and specialized news platforms.

Keywords

India

Foreign Policy

Iran

South Caucasus

North-South Corridor

Geoeconomics

Bilateral relations

Subjects