From Hormuz to Malacca, Delhi must draw the right lessons, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US-Israel coalition and Iran.
• US Central Command announced offensive strikes against Iran, responding to Iranian actions against merchant vessels in the Strait.
• The article draws parallels between the strategic importance of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca, highlighting India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• India is urged to leverage its diplomatic influence to de-escalate the conflict and restore regional stability.

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Detailed Insights:

• Violence resumed on June 25 with Iran attacking a Singapore-flagged vessel, leading to retaliatory US strikes.
• The Islamabad MoU, signed on June 17, aimed for a 60-day ceasefire but failed due to conflicting interpretations and rigid positions.
• Article 5 of the MoU is central to the dispute, concerning Iran's authority over territorial waters versus UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) principles of free transit passage.
• Israel distanced itself from the MoU, continuing military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Iran uses the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic leverage due to severe economic sanctions and ongoing conflict.
• The proposed Great Nicobar Island project, including a deepwater port and airport, aims to bolster India's security and deter China's maritime ambitions.
• Unlike Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca is longer and has alternative routes like the Sunda, Lombok, and Ombai-Wetar Straits.
• India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide strategic dominance over the Bay of Bengal.
• India needs to shed diplomatic lassitude and actively mediate to prevent further regional crisis, given its cordial relations with all parties.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, crucial for global oil shipments.
• Strait of Malacca: A vital shipping lane between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, connecting major Asian economies.
• Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): A failed provisional ceasefire agreement between the US-Israel coalition and Iran.
• Transit Passage: The right of ships and aircraft to pass through international straits without impediment, as per UNCLOS.
• UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): An international treaty establishing a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.