A War Over a Waterway: The Strait of Hormuz and India's Energy Security

Question (10 marks, ~150 words):

"For an energy-importing nation, a distant waterway can be a direct national concern." In the context of the Strait of Hormuz, examine the implications for India's energy security and the ways to strengthen it.

Introduction:

• The renewed US-Iran conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, with threats to regional oil exports pushing Brent near $85, makes a distant waterway a direct concern for energy-importing India.

Why it matters for India:

• The strait (Persian Gulf to Gulf of Oman) is a global oil chokepoint; India imports the bulk of its crude, much of it from the Gulf.
• Escalation raises the import bill, inflation and current-account pressure, and endangers the Gulf diaspora and Chabahar connectivity.

India's approach:

• Support freedom of navigation and UN de-escalation (India co-sponsored UNSC Resolution 2817), avoid taking sides, use quiet diplomacy.

Way forward:

• Build larger strategic petroleum reserves and diversify crude suppliers.
• Accelerate renewables, storage and the green transition to cut chokepoint exposure.

Conclusion:

• Hormuz is a reminder that energy security is national security; resilience at home is the most durable hedge against distant shocks.