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

They might ask which strait connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, offering the Strait of Malacca or Bab-el-Mandeb as distractors. Another trap is swapping the percentages for crude oil (40%) and LPG imports (90%) via the strait.

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

1. Target this Data: 90% of India's LPG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz. 2. Target this Nodal Body: The Ministry of Shipping (monitoring vessel movements). 3. Target this Strategic Point: Iran's policy of allowing passage only to 'non-hostile' vessels from friendly nations.

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18 Indian Vessels Stranded in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz Sees 54% of India's LPG Transit Amid Iran-Controlled Safe Passages

Q: Which ministry in India is primarily responsible for monitoring the movement and safety of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, as indicated in the article?

Ministry of Shipping, The article mentions that according to the 'Shipping Ministry', 20 India-flagged vessels were in the Persian Gulf. The Ministry of Shipping (now part of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways) is the nodal body for merchant shipping and port administration in India.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz: 1. It is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. 2. According to the article, Iran has stated that vessels linked to the US, Israel, and their allies qualify for normal passage through the strait. 3. The strait accounts for approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG flows. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article describes the strait as 'the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman'. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article clearly states Iran maintains that vessels linked to the US, Israel, and their allies 'do not qualify as engaging in normal and non-hostile passage'. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the strait 'accounts for one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG flows'.

Q: According to the article, what percentage of India's LPG imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz?

90%, The article explicitly states: 'a whopping 90% of its LPG imports transited the Strait'. The other percentages are distractors: 40% is for crude oil imports, 50% is for LNG imports, and 60% is India's overall LPG import dependency level.

Q: What is the primary strategic implication for India of Iran's selective control over the Strait of Hormuz, as described in the article?

It compels India to engage diplomatically with Iran to ensure energy supply security., The article highlights that Iran is selectively allowing passage to vessels from 'friendly' nations that coordinate with its authorities. It also states 'India has been engaged with Iran at the diplomatic level for safe passage of Indian ships'. Given India's extreme dependence on the strait for energy imports (90% of LPG, 50% of LNG, 40% of crude oil), continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran is the primary strategic imperative to secure these supplies.

Intl. Relations Economy Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingPrelims HighMains Medium

28 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:18 Indian vessels in Persian Gulf90% LPG imports via Strait of Hormuz54% of India's LPG consumption via Strait33 million tonnes annual LPG consumption60% LPG import dependency

Bodies:Shipping Ministry

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Iran is selectively allowing vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz based on diplomatic coordination, permitting ships from 'friendly' nations like India while blocking US/Israel-linked vessels.

2.India's energy security is highly vulnerable, with 90% of LPG imports, 50% of LNG imports, and 40% of crude oil imports transiting this strait, which sees 54% of India's total LPG consumption.

3.As of March 2026, 18 Indian vessels remain in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the ongoing logistical and diplomatic challenge for India's energy supply chain.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The ongoing West Asia war has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a strategic chokepoint controlled by Iran, severely impacting India's energy security. With Iran selectively allowing 'friendly' vessels passage, India's diplomatic engagement is critical as 90% of its LPG imports transit this strait.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Indian vessels in Persian Gulf18

India's LPG import dependency60%

LPG imports via Strait of Hormuz90%

Crude oil imports via Strait40%

LNG imports via Strait50%

India's annual LPG consumption33 million tonnes

1-Minute Revision

›Indian vessels in Persian Gulf: 18
›India's LPG import dependency: 60%
›Target this Data: 90% of India's LPG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz.
›Target this Nodal Body: The Ministry of Shipping (monitoring vessel movements).
›Target this Strategic Point: Iran's policy of allowing passage only to 'non-hostile' vessels from friendly nations.

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News Snapshot

⚓

Iran's Selective Control

Iran is regulating maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing passage only to vessels from 'friendly' nations like India that coordinate with its authorities.

🛢️

Critical Energy Chokepoint

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor, handling one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG flows, making its closure a major geopolitical and economic risk.

🇮🇳

India's Strategic Vulnerability

India's energy security is heavily dependent on this strait, with over half of its total LPG consumption (54%) moving through this narrow waterway.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime chokepoint between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It is the world's most important oil transit route, with approximately one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies passing through it. The ongoing West Asia war has heightened tensions, leading Iran to assert control over the strait as a strategic lever against perceived adversaries like the US and Israel.

Core Analysis & Implications

Iran's policy of granting 'negotiated safe passages' creates a new paradigm for global energy security. By allowing vessels from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan, Iran is effectively forming a bloc of nations with energy interests aligned against US-Israeli influence. For India, this presents a delicate diplomatic balancing act: maintaining energy flows requires engaging with Iran, which could complicate relations with Western allies. The economic impact is severe, with a supply crunch already lowering India's LPG consumption.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India's immediate priority is the safe evacuation of its 18 remaining vessels from the Persian Gulf through continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Long-term, this crisis underscores the urgent need for India to diversify its energy sources and transit routes, reducing over-dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Strategic investments in alternative corridors, like the Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), will gain renewed importance for India's energy security architecture.

Key Facts at a Glance

Indian vessels in Persian Gulf18

India's LPG import dependency60%

LPG imports via Strait of Hormuz90%

Crude oil imports via Strait40%

LNG imports via Strait50%

India's annual LPG consumption33 million tonnes

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

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which ministry in India is primarily responsible for monitoring the movement and safety of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, as indicated in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz:

1. It is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

2. According to the article, Iran has stated that vessels linked to the US, Israel, and their allies qualify for normal passage through the strait.

3. The strait accounts for approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG flows.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the article, what percentage of India's LPG imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary strategic implication for India of Iran's selective control over the Strait of Hormuz, as described in the article?

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18 Indian Vessels Stranded in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz Sees 54% of India's LPG Transit Amid Iran-Controlled Safe Passages

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Iran's Selective Control

Critical Energy Chokepoint

India's Strategic Vulnerability

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance