Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

Question

Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

1. Bahrain

2. Syria

3. Qatar

4. Egypt

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. 1 and 3 (Correct answer)
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. 3 and 4

Correct Answer

Option B — B

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option B.

Key Points

• The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
• It lies between Iran to the north and Oman/UAE to the south, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and thence to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
• Any country whose coastline lies INSIDE the Persian Gulf must pass through it to reach the Indian Ocean.
• Bahrain (1) is an island state in the Persian Gulf, and Qatar (3) is a peninsula projecting into it — both are landlocked with respect to the open ocean and must transit Hormuz.
• Syria (2) has its coast on the MEDITERRANEAN Sea and no Persian Gulf frontage at all.
• Egypt (4) borders the Mediterranean and the Red Sea; its ships reach the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, never through Hormuz.
• The Persian Gulf states that depend on Hormuz are Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia (Gulf coast) and the UAE.
• Why it matters: roughly a fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption passes through Hormuz, making it the world's most important oil chokepoint.
• India, which sources a large share of its crude from the Gulf, is directly exposed to any disruption there.

Exam Tip

• memorise the major chokepoints and who depends on them — Hormuz (Persian Gulf), Bab-el-Mandeb (Red Sea), Malacca (South China Sea), Suez and Panama.