A Comparative Analysis of the Behavioral Models of Emerging Powers: China and India in Their Engagement with Iran

Bahadori, Mohammad Younes; Sajjadi, Mandana

doi:10.22034/ca.2026.2071434.1922

A Comparative Analysis of the Behavioral Models of Emerging Powers: China and India in Their Engagement with Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mohammad younes bahadori ¹

Mandana Sajjadi ²

¹ Master&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#039;s student of International Relations at Allameh Tabatabai University

² Assistant Professor- Departmant of Global and Trans-regional Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran

10.22034/ca.2026.2071434.1922

Abstract

Situated between the Caucasus and the Indian Ocean, the Islamic Republic of Iran holds a strategic position with the capacity to influence the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, Afghanistan, and even Pakistan. This has granted Iran particular significance for emerging powers. Recognizing the dynamics of the international system, Iran has implicitly adopted a "Look to the East" strategy. Given the growing importance of China and India in global and regional developments, assessing their foreign policies toward Iran is essential to understanding prospects for future cooperation. The central question of this study is: What behavioral models have these emerging powers followed in their engagement with Iran since 2015? Using a hypothesis-testing approach based on the theoretical model of emerging powers’ behavior and conducting a comparative analysis of relevant documents, the findings reveal that both China and India have pursued pragmatic and cooperative approaches toward Iran. Their behavior is driven by factors such as economic interests, energy security, regional stability, and geopolitical considerations. Among the two, China has demonstrated a more consistent and assertive application of this behavioral model.

Keywords

Foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emerging powers, China's foreign policy, India's foreign policy

power

Subjects