Convergent Autonomy: A Comparative Analysis of Strategic Imperatives and Structural Constraints in Indian and Iranian Foreign Policies

Abstract

This research study offers a thorough comparative examination of the foreign policy frameworks of the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Iran, exploring their historical development, ideological underpinnings, and current strategic convergence. This paper examines India’s “Strategic Autonomy” and “Link West” policies in conjunction with Iran’s “Doctrine of Resistance” and “Look East” strategy, revealing how these two ancient civilizations maneuver through the challenges of an evolving multipolar international order. The analysis examines the essential factors influencing the bilateral relationship, such as energy security, maritime stability in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, and the geopolitically significant connectivity initiatives focused on the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The paper examines the "US Factor" as the principal structural constraint, analyzing how Washington's sanctions regime and evolving regional dynamics, including the Abraham Accords and the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, compel both New Delhi and Tehran to adjust their external engagements. Through an analysis of their participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the expanded BRICS alliance, the report emphasizes the subtle ways in which these countries reconcile ideological principles with economic pragmatism. The results indicate that despite considerable tensions about human rights, nuclear proliferation, and third-party alliances, a profound alignment of interests in Eurasian integration maintains a robust, if intricate, strategic cooperation.