Comprehensive Analysis of Strategic Maritime Straits
Category: GS‑1 (Geography), GS‑2 (International Relations), GS‑3 (Energy & Security)
Maritime chokepoints—known as straits—form vital arteries in global commerce and strategic balance. Their narrow geographies belie their outsized influence on trade, energy security, and naval doctrine. For India, a maritime nation whose economy and energy imports rely heavily on sea routes, these straits demand careful analysis.
Strait of Hormuz
Bordered by Iran and Oman, the Strait of Hormuz serves as the sole gateway from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. A mere 33 km across with 3 km-wide shipping lanes, the strait channels an estimated 20–25 % of global crude oil and roughly 30 % of LNG exports :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Its volatility—stemming from Iranian threats—has led India to dispatch naval assets under “Operation Sankalp” to secure energy lifelines.
Strait of Malacca
Nestled between Malaysia and Indonesia, the Malacca Strait links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific via the South China Sea. Approximately 900 km long and narrowing to ~38 km, it channels over 25 % of global trade and about 15 million barrels of oil daily :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. Persistent piracy and security concerns have catalysed ASEAN-led patrols like MALSINDO; India, under its SAGAR strategy, maintains close interest in ensuring uninterrupted flow.
Bab‑el‑Mandeb
Linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, Bab‑el‑Mandeb is flanked by Yemen and Djibouti/Eritrea. About 32 km at its broadest, divided by Perim Island into channels of ~5 km and ~20 km, it carries around 6 million barrels of crude daily via the Suez route. Regional instability—marked by Houthi attacks and piracy—has prompted India’s naval stance to safeguard maritime commerce and its diaspora.
Strait of Gibraltar
Situated between Spain/Gibraltar and Morocco, this 14 km-wide strait is the entrance to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic. Though its direct link to India is limited, it remains central to European, NATO, and global shipping routes.
Bosporus & Dardanelles
These narrow Turkish waterways connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. The Bosporus divides Asia from Europe, while the Dardanelles link the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean. Under the Montreux Convention, Turkey regulates naval passage, a pivotal factor amid Russia-Ukraine tensions and Eurasian maritime security.
Palk Strait & Ten‑Degree Channel
On India’s doorstep, the Palk Strait separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka—an area impacted by fisheries disputes, migrant flows, and historical links. Further east, the Ten‑Degree Channel between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands serves as India’s eastern maritime sentinel, watching over the approach to the Malacca corridor.
