Suez Canal, Mozambique Channel and Malacca Strait

According to famous naval strategist AT Mahan, “He who controls the Indian Ocean shall control the world.” The part which has many critical sea lanes of communication is definitely a chessboard for countries like USA, China, France, India etc. However, this region has three major chokepoints and those are Suez Canal, Mozambique channel and Malacca strait.

The strait of Malacca was used by famous traveler Marco Polo while returning from Khublai Khan. Admiral of Chinese Ming Dynasty, Zhen he used Malacca during his voyage of India, West Asia and Africa. Nowadays, Malacca strait witnesses 40% of Maritime trade, annually 80,000 ships pass through Malacca, 70% of China’s oil import is via Malacca strait. These are the reasons which make Malacca strait important. But there are several more reasons which make Malacca strait more crucial. Malacca strait is not under one nation, it is surrounded by Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia which makes creating hegemony over it difficult for countries like China. To the north of Malacca, we have Andaman and Nicobar Islands which keeps vigil on Chinese activities. That’s why former Chinese President Hu Jintao described Malacca strait as Malacca dilemma. But the main question is about its alternative.

Is there any way by which China can circumvent Malacca? The answer is no. To the south of Malacca strait there are two straits, Sunda strait and Lombok strait. Sunda strait is in between Sumatra and Java Island which was used by Dutch, while Lombok is in between Lombok and Bali Island. But first one is not deep enough and latter one is in extreme south. China is looking for Kra canal in Thailand but there is hardly any substantial movement. Also, China’s CPEC is ostensibly a complete failure. Hence, there is no alternative to Malacca strait. In short, “There is no another Suez.”

In 1869, major geopolitical shifts took place because of the Suez canal. It was great alternative to Mozambique channel which was used by Vasco-da-Gama. For centuries, Europeans used pivotal Mozambique channel which connected west Indian ocean to Atlantic Ocean after passing Bab-el- mandem strait and the Red sea, we can see Suez canal connecting Red sea to Mediterranean Sea. Though it is excellent route, but it has some weaknesses which help Mozambique channel to stay in the geopolitical game. First of all, when it comes to Suez canal, the world is always on tenterhook. Suez Canal is surrounded by volatile geopolitical aura.

For example, Somalia piracy, Djibouti’s transformation into proxy- turf and geopolitical chessboard for extra-regional competition, current protests in Iran, Increasing tension in Iran and Saudi Arabia, continuous blazing of blades between Israel and Arab world, Tigray crisis. These are some of the issues which are capable enough to bring 2nd Arab spring. Though world is always trying to do evasion of 2nd Suez crisis, nobody can deny its possibility. Also, supertankers cannot pass through Suez Canal. These are the reasons which makes Mozambique channel relevant upto this time.

Mozambique channel is in between Mozambique and Madagascar. Reasons mentioned above and discovery of natural gas field in Rovuma basin makes this region vital. Hence, India is trying to maintain good relationship with east African nations, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa. Kenya is the 1st African nation to execute Somalian pirates. Kenya agreed to do so because of its several agreements with US and Europe. Many important sea lanes of communication pass through Tanzania’s maritime region, Tanzania’s dar es salaam port is crucial port when it comes to connecting landlocked countries like Democratic republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda. Tanzania and other nations like Mozambique believe in free and open Indo-pacific. However, these nations are eventually getting grinded in competition between China and India. India’s continuous attempts to create good relations with vanilla island countries, China’s increasing investment in Africa in the garb of providing assistance to African Nations dragging east African littoral states in the mainstream of geopolitics.

Suez crisis has given one important lesson to the world, “military occupation is nothing if there is no diplomatic support of the world.” In order to create hegemony in Indo-pacific, to emerge as knight in shining armour of superpower in the region of Indo-pacific, India must create and maintain influence over these three main chokepoints which are going to make sure diplomatic support to India in any upcoming major geopolitical Mayhem.