16 Sep Blockades in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf: Why Maritime Security Matters for India

Subject: GS Paper II – International Relations
Also Relevant: GS Paper III – Internal & External Security, Energy Security, Indian Economy, Infrastructure
Topics: Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks, freedom of navigation, maritime security, energy security, global supply chains, Indian diaspora and seafarers

Why in the News?

India has expressed deep concern over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and warned that continued attacks could threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The issue was discussed between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The immediate concern is not limited to Saudi Arabia. A separate attack on the Panama-flagged tanker MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman left one Indian seafarer missing, while 13 Indian seafarers were rescued. India has called attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure unacceptable.

Therefore, the issue has direct implications for India’s trade, energy imports, shipping costs, diaspora safety and strategic interests in West Asia.

1. Understanding the Geography: Why Are These Straits Important?

The Red Sea is a major maritime corridor connecting the Mediterranean region with the Indian Ocean.

The important geographical sequence is:

Mediterranean Sea
↓
Suez Canal
↓
Red Sea
↓
Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
↓
Gulf of Aden
↓
Arabian Sea
↓
Indian Ocean

The Bab-el-Mandeb lies between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti/Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. It is therefore a critical connection between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The International Maritime Organization describes the Red Sea–Bab-el-Mandeb route as one of the world’s critical maritime routes connecting Europe and Asia.

UPSC Map-Based Point

Do not confuse:

• Bab-el-Mandeb → Red Sea–Gulf of Aden
• Strait of Hormuz → Persian Gulf–Gulf of Oman
• Suez Canal → Mediterranean Sea–Red Sea

2. What Is the Current Concern?

The Houthis, who control significant parts of Yemen, have intensified attacks in the wider region. Recent attacks on Saudi territory and concerns around shipping have raised fears about the security of the Bab-el-Mandeb and Red Sea corridor.

India has specifically stated that such attacks undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation through Bab-el-Mandeb.

Meanwhile, maritime security concerns are not limited to the Red Sea. The Strait of Hormuz has also faced serious disruption, creating a situation in which two strategically important waterways around the Arabian Peninsula are simultaneously exposed to geopolitical risks.

Consequently, the issue has become important for the entire global economy.

3. What Are Maritime Chokepoints?

A maritime chokepoint is a narrow geographical passage through which a large volume of ships and trade must pass.

Examples include:

Their importance comes from the fact that disruption at a narrow passage can affect trade far beyond the immediate region.

The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) notes that maritime transport carries over 80% of world merchandise trade by volume.

4. Why Is the Red Sea Important for Global Trade?

The Red Sea provides a relatively direct maritime route between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.

When ships avoid the Red Sea because of security risks, they may have to travel around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa.

This creates:

• longer journeys;
• higher fuel consumption;
• increased insurance costs;
• higher freight rates;
• delays in delivery;
• greater inventory costs;
• additional carbon emissions.

UNCTAD reported that by May 2025, tonnage transiting the Suez Canal remained around 70% below the 2023 average, reflecting the continuing effects of Red Sea disruption.

Therefore, a conflict in Yemen can eventually affect European consumers, Asian manufacturers and global commodity prices.

5. Impact on India

India is particularly exposed because of its geographical location and dependence on maritime trade.

Major areas of concern include:

Energy imports:
India imports a large share of its crude oil and other energy requirements.

Exports:
Indian manufactured goods reach European, African and West Asian markets through maritime routes.

Imports:
Fertiliser, crude oil, machinery and other commodities depend heavily on shipping.

Shipping costs:
Longer routes increase freight and insurance costs.

Inflation:
Higher transport and energy costs can transmit into domestic prices.

Seafarer safety:
India has a very large presence in the global maritime workforce. Recent attacks have directly affected Indian seafarers.

Hence, maritime security is also an issue of economic security and human security for India.

6. Energy Security: The Major Indian Concern

India’s energy security depends not only on having enough oil but also on the safe transportation of energy supplies.

A disruption in the Red Sea can affect supplies moving between the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

The situation becomes more complicated when the Strait of Hormuz is also under pressure.

Remember the difference:

Hormuz:
Important for petroleum exports from the Persian Gulf.

Bab-el-Mandeb:
Important for the movement of vessels between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

Therefore, simultaneous disruption around both chokepoints can create a compound energy-security risk.

7. Bab-el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz: Don’t Confuse Them

Strait of Hormuz

• Located between Iran and Oman
• Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman
• Major route for global energy trade

Bab-el-Mandeb

• Located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa
• Connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden
• Provides maritime access towards the Suez Canal

Easy Memory Trick

Hormuz = Gulf oil gateway
Bab-el-Mandeb = Red Sea gateway

This distinction is highly useful for UPSC Prelims map-based questions.

8. Freedom of Navigation

One of the most important concepts in this issue is freedom of navigation.

International maritime law recognises navigational rights for ships, particularly in maritime areas governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The IMO Council reiterated in July 2026 that the right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation should not be threatened, impeded, denied or suspended.

Thus, attacks on merchant vessels raise questions not merely of regional security but also of:

• international law;
• maritime safety;
• sovereignty;
• freedom of navigation;
• protection of civilian seafarers.

9. The Role of International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for developing international standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.

The IMO has repeatedly condemned attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and emphasised the protection of seafarers and freedom of navigation.

It has also stressed the need for regional cooperation among countries around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to tackle piracy, armed robbery, geopolitical tensions and organised crime.

UPSC Prelims

Remember:

IMO → UN specialised agency → international shipping → maritime safety, security and prevention of marine pollution.

10. Human Security: Indian Seafarers

The crisis has an important human-security dimension.

Ships are operated by civilian crews who can become unintended victims of geopolitical conflicts.

In the recent tanker incident reported in the news, 13 Indian seafarers were rescued while the search continued for another Indian national. India has emphasised that commercial shipping and civilian seafarers should not be targeted.

The IMO has similarly stated that seafarers are civilians performing essential work and should not be placed in harm’s way.

Therefore, India’s maritime diplomacy must focus not only on trade routes but also on the safety and welfare of Indian maritime workers.

11. Economic Impact of Shipping Disruptions

A shipping disruption produces a chain reaction.

Geopolitical Conflict

⬇️

Attacks on Ships

⬇️

Ships Avoid Risky Route

⬇️

Longer Route Around Africa

⬇️

Higher Fuel & Insurance Costs

⬇️

Higher Freight Rates

⬇️

Higher Import Costs

⬇️

Inflationary Pressure

The impact can extend to developing countries that depend heavily on imported goods.

UNCTAD has highlighted how rerouting around Africa increases shipping distances, costs and emissions.

Consequently, maritime security has become an important component of global economic resilience.

12. Impact on the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal is not itself a natural strait; it is a man-made canal in Egypt.

It provides a shorter maritime connection between Europe and Asia.

When shipping companies avoid the Red Sea, traffic through Suez falls and vessels instead travel around Africa.

This creates economic consequences for:

Egypt

Lower canal traffic can reduce foreign-exchange earnings.

Shipping Companies

Longer journeys increase operating costs.

Importers

Delivery times and transportation costs rise.

Consumers

Higher logistics costs can eventually contribute to higher prices.

Therefore, instability around Bab-el-Mandeb can indirectly affect countries thousands of kilometres away.

13. Why India Cannot Ignore West Asian Maritime Security

India has multiple interests in the region:

Energy

West Asia remains a major source of India’s energy imports.

Trade

The region is an important market and transit zone for Indian commerce.

Diaspora

Millions of Indians live and work in Gulf countries.

Maritime Security

Indian merchant ships and seafarers use these routes.

Strategic Interests

India has expanding diplomatic and economic relations with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Iran, Israel and other regional actors.

Therefore, stability in West Asia is directly connected with India’s economic and strategic interests.

14. India’s Diplomatic Approach

India’s response has focused on de-escalation, freedom of navigation and regional stability rather than becoming a direct party to the conflict.

This approach is consistent with India’s broader diplomatic priorities:

• strategic autonomy;
• respect for international law;
• protection of Indian nationals;
• secure energy supplies;
• uninterrupted trade;
• peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Moreover, India’s engagement with countries on different sides of regional divides provides diplomatic space for dialogue.

15. India’s Maritime Security Capacity

India has increasingly recognised the importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Important initiatives include:

SAGAR

Security and Growth for All in the Region

It reflects India’s vision of a secure and cooperative Indian Ocean.

Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region

The IFC-IOR promotes maritime information sharing and maritime-domain awareness.

Indian Navy

The Navy plays an important role in:

• maritime surveillance;
• protection of sea lanes;
• anti-piracy operations;
• evacuation and rescue;
• humanitarian assistance.

Therefore, India’s response to maritime disruptions must combine diplomacy + naval capability + maritime-domain awareness + international cooperation.

16. Broader Strategic Lessons for India

The current crisis highlights several vulnerabilities.

1. Dependence on Maritime Trade

India cannot separate economic growth from secure sea routes.

2. Energy Vulnerability

Oil and gas supplies remain exposed to geopolitical shocks.

3. Supply-Chain Resilience

India needs alternative routes and diversified suppliers.

4. Maritime Domain Awareness

Real-time information sharing can improve the safety of Indian shipping.

5. International Cooperation

No single country can secure all major global maritime chokepoints.

Consequently, India needs stronger cooperation with IMO, IORA, Gulf countries, African littoral states and other maritime partners.

17. Way Forward

Building Resilient Maritime Security

Strengthen Maritime Domain Awareness

Expand real-time information sharing among Indian and international maritime agencies.

Protect Indian Seafarers

Develop stronger emergency response, evacuation and communication mechanisms.

Diversify Energy Sources

Avoid excessive dependence on any particular supplier or maritime route.

Develop Alternative Trade Corridors

Projects such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) can potentially provide additional connectivity options, although their effectiveness depends on regional stability and implementation.

Strengthen Naval Preparedness

Continue anti-piracy, surveillance and escort capabilities where necessary.

Promote Diplomatic De-escalation

India should continue advocating peaceful resolution and freedom of navigation.

Strengthen International Maritime Law

International institutions should work collectively to protect civilian shipping and seafarers.

 UPSC Mains Practice Question

“The security of maritime chokepoints has become an essential component of India’s economic and strategic security.” Discuss with reference to the recent instability around the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Persian Gulf.

(Answer in 250 words)