What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the 'percentage' of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz with options like 'one-third', 'one-fourth', or 'one-fifth' (correct). Another trap is confusing the Strait of Hormuz with other chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca or Bab-el-Mandeb.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: One-fifth (20%) of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) / Indian Ocean Conference. 3. Target this Legal Point: Bilateral agreement on energy supply (not a treaty).

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India-Mauritius Oil & Gas Supply Pact Finalised to Counter Strait of Hormuz Shipping Halt

Q: The iGOT Karmayogi portal, mentioned in the context of the news, is primarily an initiative of which Indian ministry?

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, The iGOT Karmayogi (Integrated Government Online Training) platform is a flagship mission-mode program under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, designed for capacity building of civil servants.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the news article: 1. India is finalising an agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius to strengthen its energy security. 2. The West Asia crisis has led to a complete halt of all shipping traffic through the Suez Canal. 3. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil passes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article mentions a halt in shipping and soaring prices due to the crisis affecting the Strait of Hormuz, not the Suez Canal. Statement 3 is correct as explicitly stated in the article.

Q: According to the article, what proportion of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

One-fifth, The article explicitly states that the Strait of Hormuz is 'a vital waterway through which a fifth of global oil passes'. This makes 'one-fifth' the correct answer.

Q: What is the primary strategic objective behind India finalising an oil and gas supply agreement with Mauritius, as per the news?

To counter the shipping disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, The article directly links the agreement to the crisis in West Asia, where Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has halted shipping. The pact aims to strengthen Mauritius's energy security amid this specific disruption, making option B correct.

Intl. Relations EconomyHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingPrelims HighMains Medium

10 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:One-fifth of global oilStrait of Hormuz

Bodies:Ministry of External Affairs

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.India is finalising a bilateral agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius to enhance its energy security.

2.The agreement is a direct response to the West Asia conflict, where Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has halted shipping and spiked global oil prices.

3.The development underscores the strategic importance of energy partnerships and India's growing diplomatic role in ensuring regional stability.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India is finalising a strategic energy security agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius, aimed at mitigating the impact of the West Asia conflict which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This move highlights India's role as a reliable partner in the Indian Ocean Region, using energy diplomacy to strengthen bilateral ties.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Waterway DisruptedStrait of Hormuz

Global Oil TrafficOne-fifth (20%)

Event Attended9th Indian Ocean Conference

Portal LaunchediGOT Karmayogi for Mauritius

1-Minute Revision

›Waterway Disrupted: Strait of Hormuz
›Global Oil Traffic: One-fifth (20%)
›Target this Data: One-fifth (20%) of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) / Indian Ocean Conference.
›Target this Legal Point: Bilateral agreement on energy supply (not a treaty).

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News Snapshot

⚡

Energy Security Pact

India is finalising a bilateral agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius to bolster its energy security.

🚢

Strait of Hormuz Crisis

The West Asia conflict has led to Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, halting shipping of 20% of global oil.

🤝

Strategic Diplomacy

The agreement exemplifies India's use of energy diplomacy to strengthen partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The West Asia conflict, particularly involving Iran, has created a strategic choke point at the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage for global energy supplies. This disruption highlights the vulnerabilities of energy-importing nations like Mauritius, which rely on stable shipping routes. India's initiative stems from its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its own experience in managing energy security amidst global volatility.

Core Analysis & Implications

This bilateral energy supply agreement moves beyond mere trade to strategic partnership. It positions India as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), countering Chinese influence through tangible support. For Mauritius, it diversifies energy sources, reducing dependency on volatile West Asian routes. The agreement also signals India's capability to leverage its refining capacity and strategic petroleum reserves for diplomatic gains.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

This pact could serve as a model for similar arrangements with other IOR nations like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Seychelles. It may lead to greater Indian investment in Mauritius's energy infrastructure, including storage facilities. In the long term, it strengthens the framework for a regional energy security grid, enhancing collective resilience against future geopolitical shocks in critical waterways.

Key Facts at a Glance

Waterway DisruptedStrait of Hormuz

Global Oil TrafficOne-fifth (20%)

Event Attended9th Indian Ocean Conference

Portal LaunchediGOT Karmayogi for Mauritius

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The iGOT Karmayogi portal, mentioned in the context of the news, is primarily an initiative of which Indian ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the news article:

1. India is finalising an agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius to strengthen its energy security.

2. The West Asia crisis has led to a complete halt of all shipping traffic through the Suez Canal.

3. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil passes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the article, what proportion of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary strategic objective behind India finalising an oil and gas supply agreement with Mauritius, as per the news?

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India-Mauritius Oil & Gas Supply Pact Finalised to Counter Strait of Hormuz Shipping Halt

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Energy Security Pact

Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Strategic Diplomacy

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance