Hyderabad, Feb. 4 -- As the entire Iranian coastline in the Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf) has enormous economic as well as strategic significance for China and Russia, any such (mis)adventure by the United States in West Asia is likely to have long-term implications. The signing of a comprehensive strategic pact by Beijing, Moscow and Tehran on January 29, 2026, as well as another naval exercise in the region by these three countries later in February, should be seen in this background.

Be it Chabahar, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Imam Khomeini or even Abadan, the ports of Iran provide an opening to China and Russia in the warm water of West Asia. China and Russia are likely to greatly benefit from the Belt and Road I...