TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 169

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 169

1. Why is the Strait of Hormuz important for India even though India is not directly involved in the Iran-U.S. conflict?

Answer: The Strait of Hormuz is important because a major share of Persian Gulf petroleum exports passes through this narrow maritime route. The Iran-U.S. confrontation has already affected commercial shipping and pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel. For India, disruption can mean higher oil and gas prices, inflation, pressure on the rupee and a larger import bill. Therefore, India's interest is not in choosing sides but in supporting de-escalation, freedom of navigation and protection of commercial shipping. The larger lesson is that energy security and maritime security are closely connected, making stability in West Asia a core Indian economic interest.

2. Can India play a meaningful role in the Ukraine peace process without becoming a formal mediator?

Answer: Yes. India does not need to present its own peace formula to make a useful contribution. It maintains communication with Russia, Ukraine and major Western countries, which gives it diplomatic space that relatively few countries possess. The Ukraine war also affects the Global South through energy prices, fertiliser costs, food insecurity and inflation. India can therefore encourage negotiations, keep diplomatic channels open and use platforms such as BRICS to prevent complete geopolitical polarisation. In my view, India's strength lies in being a bridge and facilitator, not in claiming that it alone can resolve a conflict whose settlement ultimately depends on the principal belligerents.