Gwadar and Chabahar are often described as "sister ports" due to their geographical proximity (140 km apart) and shared access to similar hinterlands, including Afghanistan, Central Asia, West Asia and Western China.

Geographically, both ports are naturally positioned for cooperation. However, due to geopolitics, China's role in Gwadar and India's investment in Chabahar have pushed both ports toward competition. Moreover, the great-power rivalry between the US and China has deepened this competition. Let's analyse how geopolitics and great power competition make both ports competitive rather than cooperative.

Gwadar is located about 400 km east of the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly 20% of the world's oil and 40% of China's imported oil pass through this route. Because of its strategic location, Gwadar provides China with direct and easier access to the Arabian Sea.

It is developed under the $65 billion CPEC framework. China has gradually increased its investment in Gwadar since 2016. Notably, China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) has funded different infrastructure projects, including $230 million international airport, expressways, energy corridors and special industrial zones.

Gwadar significantly shortens Beijing's supply lines: The Gwadar-Kashgar corridor offers significant economic and time benefits. Compared to the traditional Malacca route from China's eastern seaboard to the European, Gulf and African markets, this corridor avoids chokepoint vulnerabilities. This development saves China almost $71 billion annually in trade with key destinations across West Asia and Europe.

Apart from Gwadar's strategic significance, it also serves as Pakistan's primary gateway to West Asia, Central Asia, Africa and Europe. This port presents a crucial entry point for China to........

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