Russia, China, and Iran Alliance: A shift of power game towards Asia
By Dr.Syed Mehboob
Research Scholar, Analyst
America is not the sole superpower of the world. Others are also stakeholders in
global affairs, and they, too, have emerged as very important players in the
global power game. They are Russia, China and Iran. The power game has entered a
new phase. Those players who have a better vision, understanding of the global
politics, economy, and have the ability to make decisions with acumen,
far-sightedness could win the game.
Russia, China, and Iran have emerged as very important players in the global
power game. Their alliance and collaboration can change the game. International
policy makers cannot ignore them and even if they ignore they will have to pay
the price.
Country Population in millions GDP US$ billion PPP GDP US$ billion Nominal GDP
per capita PPP$ GDP per Capita Nominal
China 1,400 30,180 19,910 21,364 21,364
Russia 145.47 4,365 1,829 30,013 12,575
Iran 83.183 1,573 1,739 18,332 20,261
Trade Statistics
Country Exports US$ billion Imports US$ billion
China 3,600 2,690
Russia 551 366
Iran 127.43 60.46
Iran and China have signed a 25-year cooperation agreement on the further
development of Iran-China relations, signed in Tehran by the Chinese and Iranian
foreign ministers on 27th March 2021. According to the agreement, China is to
invest US$400 billion in Iran’s economy. The agreement includes up to US$280
billion towards developing Iran’s oil and gas and petrochemical sectors and
another investment of US$120 billion towards upgrading Iran’s transportation and
manufacturing infrastructure. Reviving the Chinese One Belt One Road initiative
is also part of the agreement. Iran is also supplying Drones to Russia, which is
an important development and shows the strategic ties between Iran and Russia.
Trade between China and Russia surged by 36% in 2021. Bilateral trade between
the two countries has reached the equivalent of $146.9 billion. Russia mostly
sells China coal, oil, natural gas, and agricultural products. China sells
Russia machinery, transportation equipment, mobile phones, cars, and other
consumer products. China buys more from Russia than it sells to Russia.
.After the Ukraine crisis, America and Europe imposed worst sanctions against
Russia. The objectives of these sanctions were to isolate Russia, to hit its
economy, to limit its advancement, and to prevent it from playing any active
role in global politics and the power game. Did these sanctions and other
measures prove effective? The reality is quite different. The reality is that
Russia is gaining, and Europe is severely hit by its efforts to isolate Russia
and to impose sanctions on it. Russia has exhibited resilience, the best one can
imagine in the world.
Recently President Vladimir Putin visited Iran where he met with Turkish
president Recap Tayyap Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. In his first
trip outside Russia since the Ukraine crisis emerged, Russia’s president
received endorsement for the Ukraine war, with Iran’s supreme leader claiming
NATO would have eventually started the conflict. He also supported Putin's aims
in Ukraine, with the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei saying at the
trilateral summit that the West opposes an “independent and strong” .Russia.
Khamenei echoed past claims by Putin that NATO -- which he called a "dangerous
creature" -- would have eventually attacked Russia. "NATO would know no bounds
if the way was open to it, and if it was not stopped in Ukraine, it would start
the same war using Crimea as an excuse," he was quoted as saying on his website
after meeting with Putin in Tehran. This was a big success for Russia.
Iran and Russia's national energy companies - National Iranian Oil Company and
Gazprom; signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week.
According to the deal Gazprom will be involved in the extraction of oil and gas
at several sites across Iran potentially worth $40 billion. This is another big
achievement of Russia besides there is news that Russia will purchase Iranian
drone.
Russia and China held first military exercise since Ukraine crisis and this was
a quantum step to enhance cooperation between Russia and China on defence
sector. This joint exercise paved the way for further enhancement of defence
ties between China and Russia. The International Army Games is an annual Russian
Military sports event organized by the Ministry of Defence of Russia. The
event,, which was first staged in August 2015, involved close to 30 countries
taking part in dozens of competitions over two weeks in the most skilled war
games. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the International Army
Games (IAG) 2022 will be held from August 13 to 27 as scheduled, and as of now,
a total of 275 teams from 37 countries and regions have confirmed their
participation in this unique event. These games would be held in the territories
of 12 countries including Belarus and Iran. A Chinese team comprising tanks and
vehicles would attend this event.
China is a country in East Asia. It is the world’s most populous country, with a
population of around 1.4 billion, covering about 9.6 million square kilometers.
It is the world’s third state by area.
China is the factory of the world. In 1970 its global production contribution
was only 3% now it is 25%, it is exporting to about 200 countries and producing
about 80% world’s air conditioners, 70 % mobiles third-largest, 60% shoes, 74%
solar sales, 60 % cement, 50% coal, 45% ship building, 50% steel, is being
produced by just one country “ CHINA”. It is also astonishing that about 50%
apples are produced by China while the USA, which is second in rank, only
produces 7 % apples. It is now the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $ 30.8
trillion. It is also the largest exporter of the world with $ 3.6 trillion in
exports. Surprisingly, 90% American flags are also manufactured in China. It is
normally thought that China can only produce cheap goods, but people are highly
surprised when they are told that 60% of most branded luxurious items are
produced in China. In the 1970s it was poorer than African countries. In 1978,
its per capita income was just $ 155 dollars while it jumped to $ 7,590, which
is 49 times increased. It lifted more than 800 million people from poverty. Its
mass production policies destroyed the price structure of most of the world’s
famous companies and countries. It has a competitive edge over many countries
due to its mass-scale production. Its workforce is highly trained, efficient,
active, vibrant and experienced. China is the largest economy in the world by
PPP since 2014, the world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP since 2010,
and the largest economy in Eurasia. Since the introduction of economic reforms
in 1978, China’s economy has been the world’s fastest-growing major economy,
with an annual growth rate consistently above 10%. According to the World Bank,
China’s GDP grew $ 150 billion in 1978 to US$12.24 trillion by 2017. China also
recorded the fastest rise in GDP per capita in the world from 1960 to 2018.
China is the largest exporter and second second-largest importer of the world
after America. One of the world’s foremost infrastructural giants China has the
world’s largest bullet train network, the most super tallest skyscrapers in the
world. China borders with 14 countries, more than any other country except
Russia.
Russia is the largest country in the world by area, covering more than
one-eighth of the world’s land area. it is the 9th most populous country with
over 150 million people. Its capital Moscow, is one of, the largest cities in
the world. The Russian economy ranks as the 12th largest economy by nominal GDP,
and sixth largest by purchasing power parity. Russia’s extensive mineral and
energy resources are the largest such reserves in the world, making it one of
the world’s leading producers of oil and natural gas. The country is one of the
five recognized nuclear weapon states, is a permanent member of the UN Security
Council, enjoying veto power status.
Russia is a great power as well as a regional power and has been characterized
as a potential superpower. It is a member of the G20, the Council of Europe, the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the World Trade Organization. It is also
one of the five members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Russia, China, and Iran's strategic alliance is the game changer in the world’s
power game. They are very important countries in shaping global politics and
economic development. India must revisit and revise its policy as its strategic
alliance with the USA and strategy to block Chinese advancement is not in favor
of regional peace and stability especially in the perspective of Russia and
Iran’s strategic alliance with China. Europe and America's strategy is to block
Russia and China has miserably failed.
Russia joined hands with China which is a strategic ally of Russia in arctic
region. Russia China alliance is given very importance by analysts. China
declared itself a near arctic state. China is only 900 km away from Arctic
Circle. China is paying much intention in building more infra-structure and is
building “The Polar Silk Road”. China completed 121st Arctic scientific research
expedition. China is also going to build Research Centre at Svalbard Islands.
The Arctic region has become a new focus of conflict between the US and China.
Washington seeks to block Beijing’s activities in the region and prevent it from
strengthening its presence there, in keeping with the guidance of President Joe
Biden’s administration, which the session considered an extension of the policy
of former US President Donald Trump. America’s military position towards Chinese
activities in the Arctic, including investments, and Washington’s accusations
that China is engaging in expansionist activities in the South China Sea and the
Arctic via many political and economic measures. Washington is deliberately
stoking disagreements between China and Russia to disrupt cooperation between
them in the Arctic region because of the strategic importance of that region to
the US. Russia and Canada cooperate in many areas in the Arctic, while the two
countries do not agree on many other security issues. China cooperates with
Russia on several Arctic issues. In July 2017, the two countries announced a
joint initiative called the “Arctic Silk Road.” China was among the first
countries to support shipping via the North Sea amid the Western boycott of this
route. In addition, there is good military cooperation between China and Russia
in the region. UAE has advanced technology in the field of oil and gas and China
enjoys vast production capacity. This indicates opportunities for cooperation
between the two countries in the Arctic, which has many investment opportunities
in the energy sector. Hard-rock mining is also well developed, especially in
Russia, where the former Soviet government’s desire for national
self-sufficiency provided a compelling spur.The major centers are located around
Murmansk and Norilsk. The only significant source of diamonds in Russia is
in Sakha. There is also gold, tin, nickel, copper, platinum, and cobalt,
together with iron ore, coal, and apatite. All these are being worked. For the
first four, the north provides probably the largest sources in the country.
There is some mining in Alaska and Arctic Canada, especially of lead-zinc, but
it is not such a significant addition to national resources as in Russia.
Geopolitical changes in the Arctic region are increasing, but they will not lead
to war or confrontation between the different powers in the region because it is
an important strategic region for Russia, which depends on the region in all its
future planning. Likewise, climate change and global warming are increasing the
importance of the region in terms of work, living, and investment. It could be
called the “new Arctic civilization.”
There are many aspects that indicate that Russia and China are emerging powers
and no county can ignore them. It is therefore advised to the policy makers of
Pakistan that besides having strategic ties with China , relations with Russia
must also be given due importance and should not be ignored. It is in the larger
interests of Pakistan that we may join hands wherever we have the commonality of
interests with Russia. The sanctions imposed by western countries and USA
affecting negatively to European countries and failed to bring the desired
results. Pakistan should move towards technology transfer from Russia and needs
to start meaningful negotiation to get Russian help in resolving its energy
crisis.