Which country do you believe enjoys the best geopolitical position?

[EternalJives]

Exactly, I'd also like to ask some Indian members to state their reasons for voting. Only being a 'big country' is not a reason for being geopoliticaly important.

To be fair, I would rate India much higher than Iran as far as "geopolitics" is concerned. India is strategically located between persian gulf and strait of malacca which gives us direct access to ME and SEA and thus is a part of the trade routes from europe to far east. India is a much larger political entity and can assert more influence on the region than Iran. The sub-continent (including Pakistan) is bounded by mountains on the north and west and by sea on the south and east which gives India a lot of strategic depth than Iran. While India wasn't a player in global politics earlier, it's influence has greatly increased lately. Some three years ago, China refused USA's proposal to include India in a 3 nation talks citing India as a comparatively lesser power. That stance has changed however and now China recognizes India as someone that has the prospect to run neck-to-neck with her and is ready to engage India in an exchange among equals.
The only reason I voted for Turkey is because it has greater potential and is better suited than India. It, however, needs to recognize it and use it for the good.

 

[anHuman]

My friend, you should first study a little more about definition of geopolitics. What you said has nothing to do with geopolitics.



Geostrategy:


Geopolitics:


You see I'm not confusing anything, being politically important and being geopolitically important are worlds apart. Some people seem to not understand what geopolitics actually mean.

look like most of people don't know what geoplitics mean ....

anyway , being in geopolitics location has more disadvantage than advantage ....

 

[gau8av]

Hi,

Turkey is in the past---had been and done with---. Iran otoh---this nation is totally lost---it is clueless to what it needs to do and from where to start---that is what happens when you execute your visioanries---your tacticians---your generals---your leaders----your civilian population at a whim---.

India wants to be the bad boy---but its problem is that it is a democracy----its parliament won't kowtow to the american needs and demands as some of the indian members want it to.

For india to be counted---it needs to come out a solid winner in an actual battle either on land or seas against the chinese or against pakistan.


The thing is that a little minion like pakistan is not scared of india in actual combat---when you can't BULLY little nations you ain't nobody.

but I think Pakistan has been bullied nice and proper over the years and knows it's place quite well as regards it's US overlords

..with advances in their nuclear program, Iran are in a pretty good position, even more so now with the mess in Iraq/Syria etc but they are still viewed as a hostile nation within the US, + there's Israel so...

Iran are a problem they need to take care of and with whom they now even have somewhat converging geopolitical interests in the region.. still nowhere close to "ally" status though

right ?

 

[Serpentine]

To be fair, I would rate India much higher than Iran as far as "geopolitics" is concerned. India is strategically located between persian gulf and strait of malacca which gives us direct access to ME and SEA and thus is a part of the trade routes from europe to far east. India is a much larger political entity and can assert more influence on the region than Iran. The sub-continent (including Pakistan) is bounded by mountains on the north and west and by sea on the south and east which gives India a lot of strategic depth than Iran. While India wasn't a player in global politics earlier, it's influence has greatly increased lately. Some three years ago, China refused USA's proposal to include India in a 3 nation talks citing India as a comparatively lesser power. That stance has changed however and now China recognizes India as someone that has the prospect to run neck-to-neck with her and is ready to engage India in an exchange among equals.
The only reason I voted for Turkey is because it has greater potential and is better suited than India. It, however, needs to recognize it and use it for the good.

Let me make this clear, because you too are using political importance of India to emphasize its geopolitical importance. Well you are wrong. Let me bring you an example: As far as geopolitics is concerned, UK is no match to many countries, but in politics, it's among top countries in the world. You see the difference? What you said above mostly highlighted India's political importance. Except strategic depth, I don't see any other huge advantage about India compared to Iran in geopolitics.

You, like many others here confused geopolitics with politics. Another example can make it more clear: Consider Turkey for example. If Turkey was a huge desert with zero population, it would still be geopolitically important because it connects Asia to Europe and for many other factors. Now, whether its government use these advantages properly or not, is another thing. In other words, geopolitical importance is mostly an inherent feature rather than a human-made one. However, humans come to equation when it comes to effectively exploiting geopolitical importance. I already said in my post that due to sanctions, many potentials of Iran are not properly used now, but in 'equal' circumstances, I believe Iran has more advantages compared to India when it comes to geopolitics, but you now have a better chance to use yours compared to us.

 

[waz]

Turkey hands down. Half of it is in Europe, the other half in Asia.

 

[MastanKhan]

India, because we have Andaman and nicobar islands, we can choke all the shipping routes of the Indian ocean, and also of the Arab sea ( we have lakshadeep island in the Arab sea)

Hi,

You cannot stop anyone from going from pt a to pt b in open oceans----that would start a war.

Your geo position dictates as to what kind of access you can give to someone----at this time---pakistan is in a position to givea acces to landlocked areas to all the super powers that matter---china---russia----usa.

For china and russia---it frees up their flank---a much needed access route----.

There is a silent war going on between the usa and pakistan and china and russia over gwadar since the last 10 plus years since the pakistanis started bragging about the importance of gwadar before it was ready.

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

From the options mentioned- China

 

[danger007]

Exactly, I'd also like to ask some Indian members to state their reasons for voting. Only being a 'big country' is not a reason for being geopoliticaly important.

Not just big country ... We are situated between Indian ocean, Bay of bengal and Arabian sea... Have you heard of malacca straight? ?? and Andaman nicobar island? ?? We have greater high sea access ...

 

[T-123456]

Iran has the best geopolitical position.
Close to Europe,Russia,China,ME.
The only manco Iran has is the regime.

 

[Serpentine]

Not just big country ... We are situated between Indian ocean, Bay of bengal and Arabian sea... Have you heard of malacca straight? ?? and Andaman nicobar island? ?? We have greater high sea access ...

I was joking back there about the size, I wrote it because many Indian members voted India without providing reasons. I understand about India's geopolitical advantages, you have no shortage of it, but I don't accept that India is the most important one among those mentioned.

 

[NP-complete]

Sitting next to a big economy also counts a lot. Mexico and Canada benefit immensely by being next to usa. Pakistan is next to both china and india. It can benefit a lot as well if it decides to especially with regards to india.

 

[MastanKhan]

My friend, you should first study a little more about definition of geopolitics. What you said has nothing to do with geopolitics.


Hi,

Ok----your ntaion is a has been----your country has no importnce but only that you can choke the strait in a war----your country is full of sanctions----free nations cannot deal with you----. Your nation can influence activities in other nations thru proxies---.

Once you become an acceptble nation to the world---indeed you will have your strtegic spot---but till then--.

I know that you are an interntional mod---but I am also a pioneer member of this board---address me and give me reasons why you think it is otherwise----. DON'T JUST WING IT by sying " study the definition of geopolitics ". Don't patronize me.

I am nobody's FRIEND---.

Talk to me about your country & tell me that it is otherwise---.

On this board we have given you more freedom of speech than you have in your nation---use it and explain your position. I have already stated my position that iran is a nation lost in translation-----.

 

[EternalJives]

Let me make this clear, because you too are using political importance of India to emphasize its geopolitical importance

@Serpentine - No, you took it wrong. It was meant to convey that because of a number of factors, influence of Indian politics in the world in general and in Asia in particular has increased in recent times.

From webster's -
Geopolitics - A study of the influence of such factors as geography, economics, and demography on the politics and especially the foreign policy of a state

Try to ask these questions and see the answers (The answers here are just my opinions, you can have different answers)
Has India's Geography help her exert influence on the region - Yes because of the access to the trade routes and the strategic depth.
Has India's Economics help her exert influence on the region - Yes. It is home to 1.2 billion people, is a very very important growing market.
Has India's demography help her exert influence on the region - Yes. It is a multi ethnic, multi religious society.

Has Iran been able to exert influence on the politics of the region - Probably No.
Can Iran exert influence on the politics of the region - Probably Yes. But will need drastic shift in foreign policies.

Why Turkey - It trumps India in 1 and 2. Although it's sphere of influence is smaller, it can greatly increase it if it starts policing it's resources appropriately.

You, like many others here confused geopolitics with politics. Another example can make it more clear: Consider Turkey for example. If Turkey was a huge desert with zero population, it would still be geopolitically important because it connects Asia to Europe and for many other factors

No, if Turkey was a huge desert with zero population, it will be strategically important. Not geopolitically important.

 

[Peshwa]

I was joking back there about the size, I wrote it because many Indian members voted India without providing reasons. I understand about India's geopolitical advantages, you have no shortage of it, but I don't accept that India is the most important one among those mentioned.

Can you possibly list out some of the points (general) that you think would make a country "geo-politically important" and then we can provide our rationales to the choices made...
At least this way, we all are on the same page with regards to how one should judge the geopolitical importance of any country...

 

[BestUsernameEver]

From the countries on the list: India.

Otherwise, clearly the United States.

Iran has the best geopolitical position.
Close to Europe,Russia,China,ME.

Offhand, I can think of atleast one manco Iran has: not very much arable land (less than France) despite a size of 3 times France and an overall bad soil quality.

Countries Compared by Agriculture > Arable land > Hectares. International Statistics at NationMaster.com