Strait of Hormuz and Global Energy Security
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding strategic maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz is essential for comprehending global energy markets, international trade routes, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and India's energy security strategy, given its reliance on West Asian oil.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the open ocean, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes. Its geopolitical importance makes it a critical chokepoint for global energy security, susceptible to disruptions from regional conflicts and political tensions.
Facts & tables
- Global Oil Transit Chokepoint
- Connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, crucial for oil exports from major producers.
- Weapon of Mass Disruption
- Iran's capacity to block the Strait is seen as a 'weapon of mass disruption' with global economic impact.
- Historical Disruptions
- Blockades have caused 'biggest energy disruption in human history' and economic havoc.
- Strategic Reserves and Clean Energy
- Disruptions underscore the indispensability of higher strategic oil reserves and the transition to clean energy.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Economic Geography |
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| International Energy Agency (IEA) | Monitors and advises |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Location and geographical significance.
- Role as a major oil transit chokepoint.
- Vulnerability to regional conflicts (e.g., U.S.-Iran).
- Impact on global oil prices and supply chains.
- Importance of strategic oil reserves and diversification of energy sources.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
-
Economic Geography
Conceptual area
-
International Relations
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
The long-term implications of the U.S.-Iran deal
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, whose potential disruption by regional conflicts, particularly involving Iran, poses significant threats to global oil supplies, prices, and necessitates robust energy security measures.
See also
Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
The long-term implications of the U.S.-Iran deal
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, whose potential disruption by regional conflicts, particularly involving Iran, poses significant threats to global oil supplies, prices, and necessitates robust energy security measures.
Try these PYQs
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements:
1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. IOR-ARC is a regional cooperation initiative of the Indian Ocean Rim countries. It was established in Mauritius in March 1997 with the aim of promoting economic and technical cooperation. IOR-ARC is the only pan-Indian ocean grouping. It brings together countries from three continents having different sizes, economic strengths, and a wide diversity of languages, cultures. Statement 2 is incorrect. It aims to create a platform for trade, socio-economic and cultural cooperation in the Indian Ocean rim area. The Indian Ocean Rim is rich in strategic and precious minerals, metals and other natural resources, marine resources and energy, all of which can be sourced from Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), continental shelves and the deep seabed.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.
Statement-II: Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement-I: Incorrect. Venezuela continues to suffer from a severe economic crisis marked by hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and political instability. This crisis has led to a massive exodus of Venezuelans seeking better living conditions in neighboring countries and beyond. Statement-II: Correct. Venezuela indeed possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, surpassing even Saudi Arabia. However, despite this vast resource wealth, economic mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions have crippled its oil industry and hindered its ability to leverage this asset for economic recovery.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.
Statement-II : Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement I is correct. The Sumed Pipeline is indeed a significant route for transporting oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe. It bypasses the Suez Canal, offering an alternative path for these resources. Statement II is also correct. The Sumed Pipeline physically connects the Red Sea (where oil and gas are loaded onto ships from the Persian Gulf) with the Mediterranean Sea, providing a direct route for them to reach European ports. The connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea established by the Sumed Pipeline directly explains its strategic importance for transporting oil and gas to Europe. Statement II provides the geographical context for how Statement I functions.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) |
|---|---|
| A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA |
| B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru |
| C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo |
| D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu |
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has established several specialized centres to foster regional cooperation. The correct matching of these centres with their locations is as follows: * BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory (BCIO): Located in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its establishment was signed during the Third BIMSTEC Summit in 2014 to promote cultural cooperation and preserve heritage.
* BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC): Located in Bengaluru, India. Housed at the Central Power Research Institute, it coordinates regional energy cooperation, capacity building, and acts as the Secretariat for the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee.
* BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate (BCWC): Located in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is hosted at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) to enhance regional cooperation in weather prediction, climate modeling, and disaster preparedness.
* BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF): Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Memorandum of Association (MoA) for its establishment was signed during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit in 2022 to facilitate technology sharing, innovation, and capacity building among member states. Therefore, the correct matching is A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3, which corresponds to the correct option.
Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✅ Statement I: Correct
*The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024 under Russia’s chairship. Russia held the rotating presidency in 2024, and the summit took place from October 22-24 in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*Indonesia became a full member of BRICS in January 2025, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation and the 10th member of the bloc.* ❌ Statement III: Incorrect
*The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit is "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." The statement used "Multiculturalism" instead of "Multilateralism," making it incorrect for this question.* Therefore, only statements I and II are correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, originally (and still colloquially) known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except Iran. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council was signed on 25 May 1981, formally establishing the institution. Hence, option A is the correct answer.
What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
India signed a deal to develop the Chabahar port with Iran. Apart from the bilateral agreement between India and Iran, a trilateral transit and trade corridor deal was also signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan which would ensure easy movement of goods between the three countries, bypassing Pakistan. The Chabahar port is situated in South Eastern part of Iran and on the northern coast of Gulf of Oman It is surrounded by Afghanistan in the North, Pakistan in the North-East and India in the East. The location of the Chabahar port is of strategic importance to India in linking trade routes from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan, Central Asia and also to Europe; thereby avoiding a land route through Pakistan.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.