UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

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:

Explanation: 

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Countries located  inside the Persian Gulf need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to access the open Indian Ocean. Countries  located on the Mediterranean Sea or Red Sea do not need to cross it to reach the Indian Ocean.

• Bahrain is an island country located in the Persian Gulf. Ships from Bahrain have to pass through the  Strait of Hormuz to move out of the Persian Gulf towards the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and the wider  Indian Ocean. So, point 1 is correct.
• Syria is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Ships from Syria would access the Indian  Ocean through routes such as the Suez Canal and Red Sea, not through the Strait of Hormuz. So, point 2  is not correct. 
• Qatar is located on a peninsula projecting into the Persian Gulf. Ships from Qatar must cross the Strait  of Hormuz to reach the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. So, point 3 is correct. 
• Egypt has access to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea through its territory and the Suez Canal.  Ships from Egypt do not need to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean. So, point 4 is not  correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.