STRAIT OF MALACCA

Current Context: India recently secured Singapore’s support for its interest in patrolling the Malacca Strait.

ABOUT STRAIT OF MALACCA

• Location: Connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean).
• Boundaries: Lies between Sumatra (Indonesia) to the west and Malaysia & southern Thailand to the east.
• History: Named after the Malacca Sultanate (ruled 1400–1511).
• Importance: One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world; links Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• Control: Jointly patrolled by Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

 SIGNIFICANCE

• Around 60% of India’s seaborne trade and almost all LNG imports pass through it.
• A key choke point for Chinese shipping, giving it strategic importance.

 MALACCA STRAITS PATROLS (MSP)

Launched in 2004 by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (Thailand joined later).

• Malacca Straits Sea Patrol – Joint naval patrols.
• Eyes-in-the-Sky – Combined air surveillance.
• Intelligence Exchange Group – Real-time data sharing.