Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
International Relations
- PYQs4
- Articles1
Background
The Strait's strategic location directly impacts global energy security, international trade, and regional stability in West Asia. India, as a major energy importer, is highly dependent on the safe passage through this strait, making its stability a key foreign policy and economic concern.
The Strait of Hormuz is a globally critical narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, serving as the sole maritime outlet for the vast oil and natural gas reserves of the Gulf states, making it a vital choke point for international energy trade and a flashpoint in regional geopolitics.
Facts & tables
- Geographical Location
- Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- Global Energy Chokepoint
- Approximately one-fifth of the world's total petroleum consumption and a third of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes through it.
- Iran's Strategic Leverage
- Iran holds significant strategic leverage over the strait, enabling its 'monetisation' as a powerful negotiating instrument.
- Global Economic Impact
- Its closure or disruption would have severe global economic consequences, particularly for energy-importing nations.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Geopolitics & International Conflicts |
| Conceptual area | Physical & Regional Geography |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Critical chokepoint for global oil and LNG.
- Connects Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea.
- Iran's strategic leverage over the passage.
- Disruption impacts global energy security and prices.
- Crucial for India's energy imports and trade.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
Timeline
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Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Conceptual area
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Physical & Regional Geography
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
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Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
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Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Revolution to resurgence — Iran’s strategic moment
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, vital for oil and gas trade, whose stability is crucial for international economy and directly impacts India's energy security and foreign policy.
See also
Past papers
2016–2025 · 4 questions
In the news
Revolution to resurgence — Iran’s strategic moment
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, vital for oil and gas trade, whose stability is crucial for international economy and directly impacts India's energy security and foreign policy.
Try these PYQs
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.
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.
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.
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.