Explaining the bases of geopolitical competition between India and China in Southwest Asia; Presenting a proposed model

India and China are known as two powers with high geopolitical weight, whose geopolitical action is visible in other geographical areas as well. Meanwhile, one of the important geographical areas that is the scene of geopolitical competition between these two countries is the Southwest Asia region.

This research, with a qualitative method and a descriptive-analytical approach, and using library resources and a questionnaire, seeks to investigate the theoretical model governing the geopolitical competition of two countries in Southwest Asia. Then, by using the Delphi technique and using a questionnaire, the indicators affecting the geopolitical competition of the two countries were screened.

The results of this research show that 15 influential indicators in the geopolitical competition of two countries in Southwest Asia are: strategic straits in the region, strategic positions, communication positions, mineral resource transmission lines, road maritime transportation, striving for regional sovereignty, gaining political position, strategic depth, geopolitical codes, geopolitics of energy, access to trade routes, securing and maintaining stable economic interests, competition for mineral resources, competition for military power and defense-security treaties with major and regional powers. In addition, the calculated indicators were placed in the four dimensions of access, political, economic and military geography.

A detailed understanding of the geopolitical competition between India and China in Southwest Asia will determine the possibility of the correct policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the two mentioned powers in the region.