India-China rivalry and a tale of two ports

India and China's quest for clout and resources extends across the globe, but perhaps the best manifestation of this fierce competition, and possible sign of who will ultimately win, lies in a tale of two ports.

The port of Chabahar in the southwest corner of Iran, which India is hoping will win it access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, is barely 72km (44 mile) from Pakistan's deep-water Gwadar port which China has built to secure its energy supplies.

The dueling ports on the doorstep of Gulf shipping lanes are another strand in the race between the Asian giants to project influence beyond their shores, and seek resources to feed their fast growing economies, that has seen them compete for contracts from Africa to Latin America to even Afghanistan.

"These civilian ports are about China and India trying to advance their interests and diversify their trade and access points," says Rory Medcalf, a specialist on international security at Australia's Lowy Institute.

"But these could well become elements in a wider competitive dynamic between China and India."

Image: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (R) presents a souvenir to China's Minister for Communication Li Shenglin (L) during the inauguration of the Gwadar deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea, 480 kms (300 miles) west of Karachi, 20 March 2007.

Text: Sanjeev Miglani, Reuters

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