Why in the News?

Singapore’s PM has acknowledged India’s intent to join the Malacca Straits Patrol (currently undertaken by Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore).

In news: Strait of Malacca

About Strait of Malacca:

Location: Narrow waterway in Southeast Asia, between the Malay Peninsula (northeast) and Sumatra, Indonesia (southwest).
Length & Width: Extends about 800–900 km; width varies from 65 km in the south to 250 km in the north.
Depth: The southern end is narrow and shallow, usually less than 37 m deep, posing navigational challenges.
Geological Setting: Part of the Sunda Shelf formation, created after post-glacial sea level rise around 2.6 million years ago.
Key Ports: Hosts major hubs like Singapore, Port Klang, Penang, and Melaka, making it one of the busiest shipping lanes globally.

Strategic and Economic Importance:

Global Chokepoint: Links the Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea) with the Pacific Ocean (South China Sea), forming a vital maritime chokepoint.
Trade Corridor: The shortest sea route between the Middle East/Africa and East Asia, critical for global commerce.
Volume of Trade: Handles about 60% of world maritime trade, including large-scale oil shipments from the Middle East to China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Economic Impact: Any disruption could severely affect supply chains and energy security worldwide.
Geopolitical Significance: Attracts competing interests of India, China, the US, and ASEAN states, making it a hotspot for regional and global strategic rivalry.