Strait of Bab el-Mandeb (Strategic Chokepoint)
International Relations
- PYQs5
- Articles1
Background
Understanding the geopolitical significance of maritime chokepoints is crucial for analyzing global trade, energy security, international relations, and India's economic and strategic vulnerabilities.
The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is a critical maritime chokepoint located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the Horn of Africa, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Its strategic importance lies in being a vital passage for global trade, particularly oil and gas shipments, and commercial traffic transiting the Suez Canal between Europe and Asia.
Facts & tables
- Location
- Connects Red Sea/Suez Canal to Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean, between Yemen and Horn of Africa.
- Global Trade Significance
- One of the world's busiest shipping lanes, crucial for Europe-Asia trade and energy transport.
- Vulnerability
- Highly vulnerable to regional conflicts, impacting global supply chains and energy security.
- Alternative Route Impact
- Bypassing via Cape of Good Hope significantly increases shipping time and costs.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Geopolitics & International Conflicts |
| Conceptual area | Physical & Regional Geography |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Location: Between Yemen (Arabian Peninsula) and Djibouti/Eritrea (Horn of Africa).
- Connects Red Sea to Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean.
- Crucial for Suez Canal traffic, linking Europe and Asia.
- Vulnerable to regional conflicts (e.g., Houthi attacks).
- Impacts global trade, energy security, and shipping costs.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
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Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Conceptual area
-
Physical & Regional Geography
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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India must lead in securing the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb
Bab el-Mandeb is a vital Red Sea chokepoint, critical for global trade, especially Suez Canal traffic. Its vulnerability to regional conflicts (e.g., Houthi attacks) poses significant risks to international shipping, supply chains, and India's economy, necessitating international cooperation for security.
See also
Past papers
2015–2024 · 5 questions
In the news
India must lead in securing the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb
Bab el-Mandeb is a vital Red Sea chokepoint, critical for global trade, especially Suez Canal traffic. Its vulnerability to regional conflicts (e.g., Houthi attacks) poses significant risks to international shipping, supply chains, and India's economy, necessitating international cooperation for security.
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.
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 in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The inaugural IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, India. The Indian Navy served as the Chair for the first two years (2008-2010). Statement 2 is correct. IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative that aims to promote maritime cooperation among the navies of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. It provides a platform for discussions on regional maritime security issues and fosters friendly relationships between participating nations.
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 pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located
1. Donbas : Syria
2. Kachin : Ethiopia
3. Tigray : North Yemen
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
* The Donbas is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine. It has two heavily industrialised regions of Donetsk and Luhansk which were occupied by Russian forces last year. Hence, pair 1 is not correctly matched. * Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar. In 2022, Myanmar military air * strikes reportedly killed dozens of people including civilians at a concert in Kachin State. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched. * Tigray is Ethiopia's northernmost region. The region is at the centre of an ongoing civil conflict involving ethno-regional militias, the federal government, and the Eritrean military that has attracted the concern of humanitarian groups and external actors since November 2020. In October 2022, the first formal African Union-led peace talks between an Ethiopian government team and Tigray forces happened in South Africa. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.