Foreign Secretary Misri participates in virtual meet hosted by U.K. on opening Hormuz Strait
The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20% of global oil trade, making its security a direct concern for India's energy imports. India's active diplomatic participation in a 40-nation virtual meet underscores its West Asia policy and energy security imperatives. This is also relevant to GS III for understanding India's oil import dependency and global supply chain vulnerabilities.
Key facts
- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India at the virtual meeting hosted by the United Kingdom.
- Over 40 countries participated, including foreign ministers and senior bureaucrats.
- Meeting focused on using diplomatic and political tools to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and handles ~20% of global oil trade.
- The strait is a critical chokepoint for India's crude oil imports from Gulf nations.
The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and bureaucrats from over 40 countries, and discussed the use of diplomatic and political tools to reopen the Strait.
Concepts to know
A narrow strait between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea; approximately 20% of global petroleum and 25% of LNG passes through it, making it a critical global energy chokepoint that Iran can threaten to blockade.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea governs maritime jurisdiction and the right of states to intercept vessels; it is the legal framework underpinning any high-seas enforcement action against sanctioned tankers.
A country's ability to secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supplies. For India, diversifying uranium and fossil fuel sources from partners like Canada is a strategic priority given domestic energy deficits.
Narrow, strategically vital sea passages where disruption can significantly impact global trade and energy supply. Key chokepoints include the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, and Suez Canal — all relevant to India's trade and energy security.
The senior-most Indian Foreign Service officer heading the Ministry of External Affairs at the bureaucratic level. The Foreign Secretary represents India in high-level diplomatic parleys and is the principal adviser to the External Affairs Minister.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy. 2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only ✓
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2
International Relations · UPSC 2017Between India and East Asia, the navigation-time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following? 1. Deepening the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia. 2. Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only ✓
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2
Geography · UPSC 2011Between India and East Asia, the navigation time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following? 1. Deepening the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia. 2. Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only ✓
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2
Geography · UPSC 2011Consider the following statements: 1. The Second World Buddhist Summit was held in Bangkok in November-December, 2004. 2. World Punjabi Conference was held in Jalandhar in December, 2004. 3. The 4th Meeting of the SAARC Trade Ministers was held in Islamabad in November, 2004. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 3 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.3 only ✓
- b.1 and 2
- c.2 and 3
- d.1, 2 and 3
International Relations · UPSC 2005Consider the following statements: 1. P.V. Narasimha Rao's government established diplomatic relations between India and Israel 2. Ariel Sharon is the second Prime Minister of Israel to have visited India Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither I nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only
- c.Both 1 and 2 ✓
- d.Neither I nor 2
International Relations · UPSC 2004With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills. 2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2 ✓
International Relations · UPSC 2015
Get the full brief — free
Every story syllabus-mapped, the exact NCERT page to revise, a daily MCQ quiz and more — start free, no card needed.
Start free →