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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
Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important, narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (which is part of the Indian Ocean). Countries whose coastlines are located exclusively within the Persian Gulf must route their maritime traffic through this strait to access the open ocean.
- Bahrain (1) and Qatar (3) are located entirely within the Persian Gulf. Therefore, ships originating from these countries must cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean.
- Syria (2) has a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. To reach the Indian Ocean, its ships would typically travel through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
- Egypt (4) borders both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Ships departing from its Red Sea coast can directly access the Indian Ocean via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, without needing to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Thus, only Bahrain and Qatar fit the given criteria.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic map-based application question blending static geography with geopolitical current affairs. UPSC expects you to know the exact maritime choke points (Hormuz, Bab-al-Mandeb, Suez) and the littoral states of the Persian Gulf versus the Red Sea and Mediterranean.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Directly identifies Bahrain as a country that relies on the Strait of Hormuz for its maritime trade and exports.
- Defines the Strait of Hormuz as the only sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf (where Bahrain is located) to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean.
- Explicitly states that countries like Bahrain 'rely on the Strait to deliver the vast majority of their oil exports' because options to bypass it are limited.
- Describes the Strait of Hormuz as the 'strategic maritime corridor linking Gulf energy producers with global markets'.
- Confirms that the 2026 conflict in the Persian Gulf led to a collapse in tanker traffic through the strait, affecting all littoral states including Bahrain.
- Notes that the strait is the primary chokepoint for all seaborne trade originating from the Persian Gulf.
- The Government of India's official press release discusses the impact of the 'ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz' on energy supplies from the Gulf region.
- Mentions the Indian Navy's 'Op Sankalp' which was specifically launched to provide security to Indian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz from Persian Gulf countries like Bahrain.
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS
The Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Gibraltar are important because they
If a ship has to go from Chennai to Kochi, it has to go around Sri Lanka rather than crossing through the Palk Strait. Why?
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List-I (Strait) A. Strait of Hormuz B. Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb C. Strait of Malacca D. Strait of Sunda List-II (Water Body) 1. Java Sea 2. Andaman Sea 3. Red Sea 4. Gulf of Persia Code :
Suez canal connects which of the following ?
1. Atlantic Ocean
2. Red Sea
3. Mediterranean Sea
4. Indian Ocean
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
Code :