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

Trap: Confusing the primary strategic focus of the Indo-Pacific (often seen as East Asia) with its critical western dependency (West Asia). They may ask a question on 'Indo-Pacific security' expecting answers only about the South China Sea, while the correct answer includes energy security and the Gulf.

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

1. Target this Data: 80% of oil/LNG via Strait of Hormuz feeds Asia-Pacific. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Indian Navy's Operation Sankalp. 3. Target this Geopolitical Concept: The 'Indo-Pacific' as an integrated strategic theatre linking West Asia and East Asia.

International RelationsEconomy

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 0 of 29

Indo-Pacific Energy Crisis Looms as Strait of Hormuz Sees 80% Oil Flow Disruption, Forcing Strategic Rethink

Q: Operation Sankalp, mentioned in the context of securing maritime trade routes, is an initiative of which Indian service?

Indian Navy, Operation Sankalp is a maritime security operation conducted by the Indian Navy in the Gulf region to ensure the safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels. It was initiated in response to security threats to commercial shipping.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the energy crisis discussed in the article: 1. Over 80% of the oil and LNG moving through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for markets in the Asia-Pacific region. 2. The crisis has prompted Japan to tap its strategic petroleum reserves and South Korea to increase nuclear plant utilisation above 80%. 3. The conflict in West Asia has led to the redeployment of US military assets, including THAAD system components, from the South China Sea to the Gulf region. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'A large share of oil and LNG moving through the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 80 per cent, is for Asia-Pacific markets.' Statement 2 is also correct: 'Japan has already started tapping its strategic oil reserves. South Korea has increased nuclear plant utilisation above 80 per cent...' Statement 3 is incorrect because the article states THAAD components were redeployed from the Korean Peninsula, not the South China Sea.

Q: According to the article, what approximate percentage of the oil and LNG transiting the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asia-Pacific markets?

Approximately 80%, The article explicitly states: 'A large share of oil and LNG moving through the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 80 per cent, is for Asia-Pacific markets.' This is a critical data point highlighting the region's energy dependence.

Q: What is identified in the article as a primary strategic lesson from the West Asian crisis for Indo-Pacific nations?

The importance of integrating West Asian security into a holistic Indo-Pacific strategy., The article concludes that 'an Indo-Pacific strategy that ignores West Asia is incomplete, as the region’s prosperity and stability still depend on developments there.' The core lesson is the interconnectedness of security across the wider region, not isolation or merely increasing military spending.

Intl. Relations Economy Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCPrelims MediumMains High

02 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:80%Above 80% nuclear utilisation

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The war in West Asia has revealed the Indo-Pacific's vulnerability, as 80% of oil and LNG passing through the Strait of Hormuz supplies Asian markets, threatening energy security and macroeconomic stability.

2.Beyond energy shocks, the crisis disrupts maritime shipping, raises costs across industrial supply chains, and compels the US to redeploy military assets, raising concerns about deterrence dilution in East Asia.

3.The strategic lesson is that energy diversification, maritime coordination among Indo-Pacific states, and integrating West Asia into regional strategy are critical for long-term stability, as argued by analysts like Robert D Kaplan.

The Big Picture

Prelims · MediumMains · High

The West Asian conflict has exposed the Indo-Pacific's critical energy dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, where 80% of transiting oil and LNG feeds Asian economies. This crisis threatens inflation, shipping, and geopolitical stability, forcing regional powers like Japan and South Korea to tap strategic reserves and accelerate energy diversification. It underscores that a holistic Indo-Pacific strategy must integrate West Asian security.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Oil/LNG via Hormuz for Asia80%

India's Maritime Op in GulfOperation Sankalp

South Korea Nuclear UtilisationAbove 80%

US System Redeployed from KoreaTHAAD components

1-Minute Revision

›Oil/LNG via Hormuz for Asia: 80%
›India's Maritime Op in Gulf: Operation Sankalp
›Target this Data: 80% of oil/LNG via Strait of Hormuz feeds Asia-Pacific.
›Target this Nodal Body: Indian Navy's Operation Sankalp.
›Target this Geopolitical Concept: The 'Indo-Pacific' as an integrated strategic theatre linking West Asia and East Asia.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

⚡

Energy Shock

80% of oil and LNG transiting the Strait of Hormuz supplies Asia-Pacific, making regional economies highly vulnerable to West Asian instability.

🚢

Maritime Disruption

The crisis has increased insurance premiums, delayed shipments, and forced refiners to adjust crude grades, impacting aviation, fertilisers, and food supply chains.

⚔️

Geopolitical Rebalancing

US redeployment of assets like THAAD and carrier groups to the Gulf raises questions about the dilution of deterrence in East Asia among Indo-Pacific allies.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The strategic discourse on the Indo-Pacific has historically been skewed eastwards, focusing on the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and Korean Peninsula. However, the region's economic engine is powered by energy imports from West Asia via the Gulf. The uninterrupted flow through the Strait of Hormuz has been taken for granted for decades, creating a critical vulnerability now exposed by conflict.

Core Analysis & Implications

The crisis triggers a triple shock: 1) Energy Security: The 80% dependence translates to direct threats to household energy access, inflation control, and macroeconomic stability. Countries like Japan are tapping strategic reserves. 2) Maritime Logistics: Disruptions cascade beyond oil to aviation, fertilisers, and food via increased costs and delays. 3) Geopolitical Rebalancing: US asset redeployment (THAAD, carriers) from East Asia to the Gulf creates a perceived security vacuum, testing alliance credibility and regional deterrence.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The crisis clarifies three priorities: 1) Accelerated Energy Diversification: Investments in renewables must be viewed through a hard security lens, not just climate policy. 2) Enhanced Maritime Coordination: India, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN must collaborate to secure critical sea lanes. 3) Strategic Integration: An Indo-Pacific strategy that ignores West Asia is incomplete, as argued by Robert D Kaplan. Countries with refining flexibility may gain commercially by supplying deficit markets.

India's Strategic Posture

India has secured vessel movement and sustained maritime security through Operation Sankalp, initiated after the June 2019 Gulf of Oman tanker attacks. This evolved from a temporary mission to an enduring naval presence, highlighting India's commitment to protecting its commercial lifelines in a region central to its core strategic and economic interests.

Key Facts at a Glance

Oil/LNG via Hormuz for Asia80%

India's Maritime Op in GulfOperation Sankalp

South Korea Nuclear UtilisationAbove 80%

US System Redeployed from KoreaTHAAD components

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

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

Operation Sankalp, mentioned in the context of securing maritime trade routes, is an initiative of which Indian service?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the energy crisis discussed in the article:

1. Over 80% of the oil and LNG moving through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

2. The crisis has prompted Japan to tap its strategic petroleum reserves and South Korea to increase nuclear plant utilisation above 80%.

3. The conflict in West Asia has led to the redeployment of US military assets, including THAAD system components, from the South China Sea to the Gulf region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the article, what approximate percentage of the oil and LNG transiting the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asia-Pacific markets?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is identified in the article as a primary strategic lesson from the West Asian crisis for Indo-Pacific nations?

All 25 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

Intl. RelationsView Topic MCQs →EconomyView Topic MCQs →Security & DefenceView Topic MCQs →

Next Home Ministry Declares India Naxal-Free; 4,839 Surrenders, 706 Neutralised in 3-Year Operations

Related Current Affairs

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Oil Jumps 5% as Iran-US Compensation Demands Stall Reopening

Oil prices surged ~5% as hopes for reopening the Strait of Hormuz faded after Iran demanded US sanctions relief and compensation, while President Trump counter-demanded compensation from Iran for past attacks. This standoff threatens global energy supplies, especially for import-dependent nations like India, and has pushed Brent crude to $87.72/barrel.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

US-Iran Talks on Strait of Hormuz Reopening: Oman-Backed Interim Deal Near, India's Energy Security at Stake

US President Trump claims an interim deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is imminent, with Oman and Qatar mediating. Any disruption here directly impacts India's crude oil imports and global energy prices, making this a key IR and energy security topic for exams.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Brent Crude Falls $4.08 as Trump Halts Iran Attack for Strait of Hormuz Deal

Oil prices crashed over $4/barrel after President Trump halted a planned attack on Iran to pursue a nuclear deal. The move has de-escalated fears over Strait of Hormuz disruptions, but OPEC+ also approved a 188,000 bpd quota increase, adding downward pressure.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran's 7-Day Plan to End War: Reopen Strait of Hormuz, US to Waive Sanctions on $12B Frozen Assets

Iran proposes a 7-day plan to end the war with the US, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and restart nuclear talks. The proposal mirrors a June MoU that collapsed. With US midterm elections approaching, the timing is critical as high fuel prices hurt Trump's approval ratings. This has direct implications for global energy markets and India's strategic interests in West Asia.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran-Oman Negotiate Strait of Hormuz Reopening: US Disputes Iran's Proposed 'Service Fee' on 20% Global Oil Route

Iran and Oman are negotiating a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran proposing a 'service fee' for vessels using its controlled lane. The US strongly opposes any arrangement that grants Iran control or revenue from the strategic waterway, creating a complex diplomatic standoff with direct implications for global energy security and India's oil imports.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran-Oman Corridor Plan to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Faces US Blockade Hurdle

Iran and Oman are negotiating a new corridor to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, contingent on the US lifting its blockade on Iran's ports. This development directly impacts global oil supply and West Asian geopolitics, making it crucial for UPSC international relations and security preparation.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran Lists 7 Tough Demands for Reopening Strait of Hormuz; US Talks Ongoing

Iran has set sweeping new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including lifting US sanctions, paying war reparations, and withdrawing troops. The standoff, which has shut one of the world's busiest oil routes, is causing a global energy shock. Talks with Oman and the US continue, but no agreement has been announced.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran President Pezeshkian to Attend 18th BRICS Summit in India; Bilateral Talks on Chabahar and Strait of Hormuz

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit (Sept 12-13, 2026), marking his first visit since the Iran-US conflict. Key agenda includes bilateral talks on Chabahar port development and safety of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz. This is crucial for India's energy security and West Asia diplomacy.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

25 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Indo-Pacific Energy Crisis Looms as Strait of Hormuz Sees 80% Oil Flow Disruption, Forcing Strategic Rethink

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Energy Shock

Maritime Disruption

Geopolitical Rebalancing

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India's Strategic Posture

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance