The Look East Policy in the Islamic Republic of Iran and India: A Study of Objectives, Contexts, and Formative Factors

Introduction
In recent decades, geopolitical and structural transformations in the international system, particularly following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, have heightened the necessity for countries to redefine their foreign policies. The Islamic Republic of Iran and India, as two regional powers with distinct political, economic, and geographical characteristics, have faced domestic challenges and international pressures that have made the adoption of innovative foreign policy strategies imperative. Within this context, the “Look East” policy emerged as a key strategy to leverage economic and geopolitical opportunities in East and Southeast Asia, gaining significant importance in advancing national interests and enhancing the regional and global standing of these countries. The main objectives of this study include analysing the factors influencing the formation and development of this policy, examining the operational mechanisms and approaches of Iran and India, and assessing its impact on the economic, political, and security positions of both countries. By focusing on similarities and differences, the present research provides an analytical framework for understanding the strategic rationale and effectiveness of the Look East policy, clarifying its role in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
Methods
This study is qualitative in nature and exploratory-analytical in its objective. Data were collected through library research and a systematic review of academic sources, official documents, research articles, and foreign policy reports. The theoretical framework of “new regionalism” was employed to analyse the economic, political, and security interactions of Iran and India with East and Southeast Asian powers across various domains.
 Findings
The analysis of the Look East policy in the Islamic Republic of Iran and India indicates that this approach represents a deliberate response to domestic, regional, and international developments, pursuing economic, political, and security objectives simultaneously. In Iran, the policy primarily focuses on strategic cooperation with China and Russia, with key motivations including mitigating the impact of Western sanctions, leveraging the economic and technological capacities of East Asia, strengthening regional standing, and engaging with initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement with China. Iran also seeks balanced domestic development and the reduction of regional disparities through the development of transport and transit infrastructure, including via multilateral agreements such as the Ashgabat Agreement. In India, the Look East policy was formulated with the aim of economic integration with Southeast and East Asia, enhancing national security, and reducing dependence on Western energy sources. This policy was operationalised through the economic reforms of the 1990s, trade liberalisation, the attraction of foreign investment, the development of transit infrastructure, particularly in Northeast India, and projects such as the Chabahar Port and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. Alignment with ASEAN, the establishment of dialogue partnerships, investments in technology, tourism, and infrastructure, and membership in regional organisations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation reflect India’s efforts to strengthen its geopolitical and economic position. The findings also reveal that both countries have been influenced by different domestic and regional factors. Iran faces economic constraints due to sanctions, a partial dependence on the West, and limited diversification of Asian partners, whereas India, confronted with internal complexities — including ethnic and security crises as well as economic challenges —pursues a broader, more diversified policy. In both cases, the utilisation of East Asia’s economic growth, transit capacities, and regional and global opportunities has been a key driver in the formation and strengthening of this policy.
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that the Look East policy in the Islamic Republic of Iran and India is a strategic, purposeful, and multidimensional approach shaped by domestic, regional, and global developments. This policy serves not only as a tool for economic development, the enhancement of geopolitical standing, and the strengthening of national security, but also as a means of expanding opportunities for scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation in the region. The operational differences between Iran and India reflect their distinct domestic conditions, geopolitical positions, and economic capacities. Iran primarily focuses on limited strategic cooperation with China and Russia, whereas India pursues a broader, diversified, and project-oriented policy with East and Southeast Asian countries. To increase the effectiveness and sustainability of this policy, both countries must diversify their partnerships, align them with domestic objectives, and establish continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to dynamically respond to regional and global changes.