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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Maritime chokepoints and the politics of energy security in the Indo-Pacific
Authors
Samim Aktar, Nawaz Sharif
Abstract
The growing geopolitical
importance of the Indo-Pacific has drawn increasing attention to the strategic
role of maritime chokepoints in sustaining global energy transportation and
trade. This paper examines the significance of key Indo-Pacific chokepoints and
their implications for regional security by focusing on major passages such as
the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait of Malacca, which
together serve as critical nodes in the global energy and trade network.
Drawing on insights from sea power theory, complex interdependence, and energy
security perspectives, the study analyzes how the concentration of maritime
energy flows through these narrow passages creates both strategic opportunities
and vulnerabilities. The paper highlights that major Asian economies—including
China, India, Japan, and South Korea—remain heavily dependent on energy imports
transported through Indo-Pacific sea lanes, while the maritime engagement of
the United States, China, and India reflects the growing strategic competition
surrounding these routes. It argues that Indo-Pacific chokepoints function as
critical intersections where energy security, maritime strategy, and
geopolitical rivalry converge, making their stability central to both regional
security and the functioning of the global economy.
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Pages:363-370
How to cite this article:
Samim Aktar, Nawaz Sharif "Maritime chokepoints and the politics of energy security in the Indo-Pacific". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 363-370
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