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Strait of Hormuz Closure Blocks $75 Billion India-UAE Trade, Threatens Energy Security

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains High
18 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:USD 75 Billion (2025 Trade)USD 200 Billion (2032 Target)USD 2.49 Trillion (UAE Sovereign Wealth)537 ballistic missiles26 cruise missiles2256 drones
Bodies:Ministry of External Affairs (India)UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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What This Article Covers

1.UAE Minister Saeed Al Hajeri labels Iran's control and toll charges in the Strait of Hormuz as 'economic terrorism,' impacting India's key imports.

2.The UAE-India CEPA trade reached $75 billion in 2025, with a target to double to $200 billion by 2032, despite the regional security crisis.

3.The conflict saw Iran launch over 2,800 missiles and drones at the UAE, highlighting the threat to stability in a region critical for India's energy security.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A UAE minister labels Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz as 'economic terrorism,' directly impacting India's crude oil, LPG, and fertilizer imports. The crisis underscores the strategic vulnerability of India's energy supply lines and the importance of its bilateral ties with Gulf nations like the UAE, with total trade reaching $75 billion in 2025.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India-UAE Trade (2025)USD 75 Billion
Trade Target (2032)USD 200 Billion
UAE Sovereign WealthUSD 2.49 Trillion
Attacks on UAE (since Feb 28)537 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missiles, 2,256 drones

1-Minute Revision

  • ›India-UAE Trade (2025): USD 75 Billion
  • ›Trade Target (2032): USD 200 Billion
  • ›Target this Data: USD 75 Billion (India-UAE trade in 2025)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of External Affairs (India's diplomatic role)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) provisions on 'Freedom of Navigation'

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is primarily related to which domain of bilateral relations?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz crisis as per the article:

1. Iran has completely closed the Strait of Hormuz, blocking all maritime traffic.

2. The UAE has termed Iran's actions as 'economic terrorism' impacting India's imports.

3. The total India-UAE trade under CEPA was USD 100 billion in the year 2025.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was the value of total India-UAE trade under CEPA in the year 2025?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason cited in the article for the significant impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure on India?

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