China and Iran - Ancient Partners in a Post-Imperial Wold by John W. Garver Reviewed by A.G. NOORANI

The U.S. has had great difficulty engaging both China and Iran. Many of its conflicts with China involve China’s ties with Iran, “China’s cooperation with Iran’s missile, nuclear, chemical and advanced conventional weapons programmes. Dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue in the U.N. Security Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency, or elsewhere will require China’s cooperation. The United States’ involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, both bordering on Iran, required an understanding of Iran’s foreign relations, including its relations with a major power and permanent Security Council member like China. In short, the China-Iran relation is an important one for the United States to understand” –and for India, too.

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