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).
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.
| [UPSC 2010] Which one of the following can one come across if one travels through the Strait of Malacca ?
Options: (a) Bali (b) Brunei (c) Java (d) Singapore* |
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