{"id":368103,"date":"2026-07-23T18:55:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=368103"},"modified":"2026-07-23T18:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:25:06","slug":"india-must-lead-in-securing-the-strait-of-bab-el-mandeb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-must-lead-in-securing-the-strait-of-bab-el-mandeb\/","title":{"rendered":"India Must Lead in Securing the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 2- International Relation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong> has emerged as a major maritime security concern after reports that Iran asked the Houthis to close the Strait if the United States<\/strong> attacked Iran. Any disruption could threaten around one-third of India’s trade<\/strong>, disrupt global shipping, and increase economic risks. As uncertainty in the Red Sea grows, the situation highlights the need for India to play a proactive role in securing this critical maritime route.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strategic Importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. Geographical Location:<\/strong> The Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong> lies between Yemen and the Horn of Africa<\/strong>. It connects the Indian Ocean<\/strong> with the Red Sea<\/strong> and the Suez Canal<\/strong>, making it a key maritime passage.<\/li>\n
  2. Gateway for Global Trade:<\/strong> Although the Strait is only about 30 kilometres wide<\/strong> at its narrowest point, it carries around 12% of global trade<\/strong>. It is one of the busiest shipping routes connecting Asia and Europe<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  3. Energy Transportation Corridor:<\/strong> Nearly 11% of global maritime oil trade<\/strong> and about 8% of global LNG trade<\/strong> pass through this route. Any disruption can affect global energy supplies and increase oil prices.<\/li>\n
  4. Importance for India:<\/strong> The Strait is vital for India’s trade with Europe and supports around one-third of India’s overall trade<\/strong>. It also ensures smooth movement of imports, exports and global supply chains.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Evolution of the Red Sea Crisis (2023\u201325)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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    1. Origin of the Crisis:<\/strong> After the Gaza conflict<\/strong> began in October 2023<\/strong>, the Houthis declared support for the Palestinians and started launching drones and missiles at Israel. They later expanded their attacks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.<\/li>\n
    2. Escalation of Houthi Attacks:<\/strong> Between November 2023 and March 2024<\/strong>, the Houthis targeted at least 40 commercial vessels<\/strong>, claiming they were linked to or bound for Israel. These attacks disrupted one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.<\/li>\n
    3. International Response:<\/strong> The United States<\/strong> and its partners launched Operation Prosperity Guardian<\/strong> in December 2023<\/strong> to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024)<\/strong> also called for safeguarding shipping, while Israel carried out separate strikes against the Houthis.<\/li>\n
    4. India’s Maritime Role:<\/strong> The Indian Navy<\/strong> played an active humanitarian role by rescuing the crew of a British tanker that caught fire on January 26\u201327, 2024<\/strong>. India also engaged with Iran to help stop attacks on India-bound ships.<\/li>\n
    5. Economic Consequences of the Crisis:<\/strong> Marine insurers treated the region as highly risky, with over 90% of global shipping insured by only 12 Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs<\/strong>. Between November 2023 and March 2024<\/strong>, at least 2,000 ships<\/strong> avoided the Suez Canal<\/strong> and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope<\/strong>, delaying supplies and increasing transport costs.<\/li>\n
    6. Global Trade Disruptions:<\/strong> The diversion of ships increased voyage time and freight costs as shipping routes returned to paths used nearly 170 years ago<\/strong>. Egypt lost about one-quarter of the Suez Canal’s revenue<\/strong>, while Israel’s Eilat Port <\/strong>filed for bankruptcy by July 2024<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Why is the Strait Facing Renewed Security Risks?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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      1. Iran-Houthi Coordination:<\/strong> Reports indicate that Iran instructed the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong> if the United States attacked Iran’s power plants. Even if this is strategic signalling, it has created serious concerns over the security of the route.<\/li>\n
      2. Risk of Simultaneous Maritime Crises:<\/strong> India is already facing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. A fresh disruption in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong> could place two of the region’s most important maritime routes under pressure at the same time.<\/li>\n
      3. Growing Uncertainty in the Region:<\/strong> Unlike 2024, United States<\/strong> forces are now more focused on Iran. This creates uncertainty over whether a similar international naval effort will be available to secure the Red Sea.<\/li>\n
      4. Changing Diplomatic Environment:<\/strong> India relied on Iran in 2024 to help stop attacks on India-bound ships. The present situation is different, making such diplomatic engagement more difficult.<\/li>\n
      5. Weak International Consensus:<\/strong> The United Nations Security Council<\/strong> is more divided than before, reducing the possibility of approving a coordinated international security mission. At the same time, China is expected to continue protecting its shipping through its own arrangements with the Houthis.<\/li>\n
      6. Limits of Military Action:<\/strong> Experts argue that military strikes alone cannot permanently secure the Strait. Continued instability could also threaten Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline<\/strong>, reduce flexibility in global oil supplies and increase pressure on major oil-importing countries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Impact of a Disruption<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        A. Global Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        1. Disruption to Global Shipping:<\/strong> If ships cannot use the Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong>, they must travel around the Cape of Good Hope<\/strong>. This adds thousands of kilometres, increases travel time and raises fuel consumption.<\/li>\n
        2. Higher Freight and Insurance Costs:<\/strong> Longer routes and greater security risks increase freight charges and marine insurance premiums. These additional costs affect businesses and global supply chains.<\/li>\n
        3. Pressure on Energy Markets:<\/strong> Any disruption affecting Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea can tighten global oil supplies. This may push international crude oil prices higher.<\/li>\n
        4. Reduced Strategic Oil Buffers:<\/strong> Many countries have already used a large share of their strategic petroleum reserves during recent Middle East conflicts. This leaves less capacity to absorb another major supply shock.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          B. Impact on India<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          1. Risk to India’s Trade:<\/strong> The Red Sea-Suez Canal<\/strong> route is India’s main maritime link with Europe. Disruptions can delay cargo movement and affect a significant share of India’s international trade.<\/li>\n
          2. Impact on Energy Security:<\/strong> India imports more than 85% of the crude oil<\/strong> it consumes. Higher global oil prices can increase India’s oil import bill even if most Indian crude does not pass through the Strait.<\/li>\n
          3. Challenges for Indian Exports:<\/strong> Products such as engineering goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and agricultural products<\/strong> largely move through the Red Sea route. Longer voyages increase delivery time and transport costs.<\/li>\n
          4. Inflationary Pressure:<\/strong> Rising freight charges, insurance costs and crude oil prices increase business expenses. If these conditions continue, they can add to inflation in the Indian economy.<\/li>\n
          5. Concerns for Indian Seafarers:<\/strong> India has already restricted Indian mariners from ships operating through the Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. Applying similar restrictions to the much busier Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong> would be difficult and could affect the safety and welfare of thousands of Indian seafarers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Challenges in Securing the Strait<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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            1. Reduced Scope for International Naval Protection:<\/strong> During the previous Red Sea crisis, the United States<\/strong> led a multinational naval mission to protect commercial shipping. The present situation is different because U.S. military attention is now focused more on Iran, creating uncertainty over a similar response.<\/li>\n
            2. Changed India-Iran Diplomatic Context:<\/strong> In 2024, India engaged directly with Iran to help stop attacks on India-bound ships. The present diplomatic environment is different, making such engagement less certain.<\/li>\n
            3. Divisions within the United Nations Security Council:<\/strong> The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)<\/strong> is more divided than before. Even if it supports freedom of navigation, approving a force to enforce that decision is unlikely.<\/li>\n
            4. China’s Independent Maritime Approach:<\/strong> China is expected to continue protecting its own shipping through separate understandings with the Houthis. Such unilateral actions may limit the scope for a coordinated international response.<\/li>\n
            5. Balancing Maritime Security and Seafarer Welfare:<\/strong> Restricting Indian mariners from operating through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait<\/strong> is not practical because it is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Such restrictions could affect the safety, employment and welfare of thousands of Indian seafarers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              India’s Response: The Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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              1. Building Strategic Maritime Partnerships<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n