30. Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt

30. Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 (Bahrain and Qatar)

The Strait of Hormuz is the sole maritime exit from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman and then the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean. Bahrain and Qatar lie entirely within the Persian Gulf, so their ships must cross it. Syria has a Mediterranean coastline (route via Suez Canal → Red Sea → Bab el-Mandeb). Egypt has Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts (Suez or direct Red Sea access); neither needs the Strait of Hormuz.

Proper nouns and their appearances

Key terms: Strait of Hormuz, Bahrain, Syria, Qatar, Egypt, Indian Ocean.

• Strait of Hormuz: Extremely frequent in recent English-language coverage (especially 2026 amid Iran-related tensions, shipping disruptions, oil/LNG flows, and Indian vessel tracking). Appears regularly in The Hindu (e.g., geopolitical explainers noting dependence of Persian Gulf states including Bahrain and Qatar), Indian Express (blockade explainers linking it to the Indian Ocean and global energy), India Today, and other dailies. Also standard in geography and international-relations reporting. PIB coverage is more limited/indirect (shipping or energy ministry contexts during disruptions) rather than pure geography.

• Bahrain and Qatar: Routinely listed among the fully enclosed Persian Gulf states dependent on Hormuz for seaborne access (alongside Kuwait and Iraq). Mentioned in the same 2026 shipping/oil reports in The Hindu, Indian Express, and international wires when discussing chokepoint vulnerability. Appear in UPSC-oriented geography notes and standard atlases.

• Syria and Egypt: Appear in broader Middle East or Suez Canal stories, but not in connection with Hormuz (their routes use the Mediterranean/Red Sea). Occasional mentions in The Hindu/Indian Express regional coverage; no linkage to Hormuz for reaching the Indian Ocean.

• Indian Ocean: Common reference point in these reports as the destination beyond the Gulf of Oman.

Recent news (2025–2026): Heavy coverage of Hormuz transit, Iranian/US actions, Qatari LNG, and Indian shipping in The Hindu, Indian Express, India Today, and others. Bahrain and Qatar are repeatedly noted as fully dependent; Syria and Egypt are not. PIB focuses more on Indian shipping safety or energy imports during the same period.