India deeply concerned about blockades in Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, says govt.
2-minute summary
India has expressed deep concern over maritime blockades and escalating security threats in the critical choke points of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. This diplomatic stance follows a series of Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi Arabian cities and a recent drone/missile strike on the Panamanian oil tanker 'El Gaia' off the Omani coast, which carried 14 Indian seafarers. While the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that India's oil supplies remain unaffected for now, the safety of over 2.4 million Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia and the security of commercial shipping lanes are of paramount concern. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers during bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. India has strongly condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and called for the immediate restoration of free and safe navigation in these vital international waterways.
Why it's in the news
The Indian government has voiced serious concerns over escalating maritime security threats and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb. This follows attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members and Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabian cities, threatening regional stability and India's energy trade routes.
Facts to remember
- The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, carrying over 20% of the world's petroleum.
- The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a critical gateway for trade passing through the Suez Canal.
- The SAGAR Vision is India's maritime doctrine emphasizing cooperative security, capacity building, and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean Region.
Background and context
The Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are two of the world's most strategic maritime choke points. The Strait of Hormuz, lying between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, carrying over 20% of the world's petroleum. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, situated between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa, links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, serving as a critical gateway for trade passing through the Suez Canal. For India, these waterways are vital lifelines; they carry the bulk of India's crude oil imports from West Asia and facilitate trade with Europe and Africa. Recent geopolitical conflicts, including the Yemen civil war, Houthi rebel activities, and Iran-US/Israel tensions, have repeatedly threatened these corridors, leading to increased freight costs, insurance premiums, and security risks for Indian commercial vessels and seafarers.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 51(c) — Directs the State to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another, underpinning India's stance on freedom of navigation in international waters.
Government schemes
- SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Vision — India's maritime doctrine emphasizing cooperative security, capacity building, and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean Region.
International organisations
- BRICS — The multilateral forum where Indian leaders met Saudi and Iranian counterparts to discuss regional security, trade stability, and diplomatic consensus.
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) — The UN specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping, highly relevant to the protection of seafarers and international trade routes.
Mains practice: Analyze the strategic and economic implications of maritime choke point disruptions in West Asia on India's energy security and trade. Suggest measures to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
The Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are critical maritime choke points. Recent disruptions due to geopolitical conflicts directly threaten India's national interests.
• **Economic and Trade Implications**: Over 60% of India's crude oil imports and a significant portion of its trade with Europe transit through these regions. Disruptions lead to supply chain bottlenecks, increased freight rates, and high war-risk insurance premiums, fueling domestic inflation.
• **Energy Security**: India relies heavily on West Asian hydrocarbon imports. Blockades in Hormuz threaten oil and LNG flows from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, risking energy shortages.
• **Diaspora and Human Security**: With over 2.4 million Indians in Saudi Arabia and thousands of Indian seafarers operating on commercial vessels, regional instability directly threatens citizen safety and remittance inflows.
• **Strategic Balancing**: India must navigate complex bilateral ties with Iran (Strait of Hormuz) and Saudi Arabia/US-led coalitions (Red Sea) without compromising its strategic autonomy.
**Mitigation Measures**:
• *Diversification*: Accelerating oil import diversification (e.g., Russia, Africa, Latin America) and expanding Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR).
• *Security Cooperation*: Strengthening maritime security through initiatives like 'Operation Sankalp' and active deployment of Indian Navy escorts.
• *Alternative Routes*: Promoting the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to bypass traditional choke points.
• *Diplomatic Engagement*: Leveraging forums like BRICS to advocate for freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers.
In conclusion, ensuring maritime security in West Asia is vital for India's economic resilience. A proactive mix of naval diplomacy, strategic diversification, and multilateral engagement is essential to secure India's maritime lifelines.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. Consider the following geographical pairs of choke points and the water bodies they connect: 1. Strait of Hormuz: Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman 2. Bab-el-Mandeb: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden 3. Strait of Malacca: Andaman Sea and South China Sea Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. All three pairs are correctly matched. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Strait of Malacca connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean).
Q2. Which of the following countries directly border the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait?
- Oman, Yemen, and Djibouti
- Iran, Oman, and UAE
- Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia
- Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea
Answer: D. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa.
Q3. With reference to India's maritime security initiatives, 'Operation Sankalp' was launched by the Indian Navy to:
- Conduct joint naval exercises with ASEAN nations in the South China Sea
- Combat piracy off the coast of Somalia under a UN mandate
- Ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels transiting through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
- Provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Horn of Africa
Answer: C. Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy in June 2019 in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to ensure the safe passage of Indian-flagged merchant vessels transiting through the region following maritime security incidents.
Revision flashcards
- Which countries border the Strait of Hormuz? Iran and Oman (via the Musandam enclave) directly border the strait, with the UAE nearby.
- What is the strategic significance of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait? It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean, acting as a critical choke point for trade passing through the Suez Canal.
- What is India's 'Operation Sankalp'? A maritime security operation launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to secure Indian merchant vessels transiting the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
- How many Indian expatriates live in Saudi Arabia, and why is their safety a concern for India? Over 2.4 million Indians live there. Escalating regional conflicts (e.g., Houthi attacks) threaten their physical security and India's remittance inflows.
- Which article of the Indian Constitution promotes international peace, security, and respect for international law? Article 51 (Directive Principles of State Policy).