Geopolitics of the Strait of Hormuz
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC focuses on critical geopolitical hotspots, their impact on global trade, energy security, and international relations, especially concerning India's strategic interests and foreign policy.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the open ocean. It is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments, making its security and control central to international energy markets and regional geopolitics, particularly involving Iran and other Gulf states.
Facts & tables
- Location
- Connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
- Energy Chokepoint
- Approximately one-fifth of the world's total oil consumption and a significant portion of LNG passes through it.
- Bordering Nations
- Bordered by Iran to the north and Oman (Musandam Governorate) and the UAE to the south.
- Strategic Importance
- Crucial for global energy security and a frequent site of international tensions and naval presence.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Key chokepoint for global oil/gas.
- Connects Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea.
- Crucial for international energy security.
- Source of geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
- Impacts global trade routes.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
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International Relations
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2018
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2022
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth estimates cost of Iran war at $37.5 billion
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime chokepoint for global energy trade, making it a focal point for geopolitical tensions and international security concerns in West Asia.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2015–2025 · 6 questions
In the news
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth estimates cost of Iran war at $37.5 billion
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime chokepoint for global energy trade, making it a focal point for geopolitical tensions and international security concerns in West Asia.
Try these PYQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transport network aimed at boosting trade between India, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, using a combination of sea, rail, and road routes via Iran. The corridor connects Mumbai → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Azerbaijan → Russia → Europe, with access to Central Asia.
Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north -western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in northwestern Uganda, not Kenya. Statement 2 is Correct: People fleeing the civil war in South Sudan have been hosted in the Bidibidi settlement. Statement 3 is Correct: The Dadaab refugee complex is located in Kenya and houses refugees, including those who fled the civil war in Somalia. Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3 only.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to begin technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?
* Statement 1 is correct: Trade and Technology Council was launched by the the United States of America and the European Union during the EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 in Brussels. * Statement 2 is incorrect: Trade and Technology council, the USA and EU does not aim to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Rather the initiative intends to promote pooling of digital resources such as AI models and computing power, and make them available to partner countries to address challenges in areas such as climate change and extreme weather, healthcare or smart agriculture.