Managing the Hormuz Crisis: The Strategies of Egypt, China, and India
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Summary
Egypt, China, and India prioritise energy security amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Egypt acts as a defensive shield with diplomatic efforts and the SUMED pipeline. China pursues cautious diplomacy and economic alternatives, while India secures routes through strategic partnerships and diplomatic engagement.
The Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian strategies for managing the Strait of Hormuz crisis converge on a primary objective: energy security and the protection of shipping lanes. However, each country’s tools and alliances differ radically based on its geopolitical position and economic interests, according to existing arrangements and agreements. Here, Egypt’s role focuses on its defensive depth and strategic alternatives. Egypt considers maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz an extension of its national security, given its intrinsic link to the security of the Gulf and its direct impact on Suez Canal revenues. Therefore, Egypt is keen on managing the crisis and de-escalating tensions.
Cairo is leading intensive diplomatic efforts to achieve this and is coordinating with international alliances to protect shipping lanes, reinforcing its role as a regional balancing power. Egypt is putting in place a number of logistical and alternative options, including SUMED pipeline – as a partial alternative for exporting Gulf oil via the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, thus mitigating the economic risks arising from any escalation. In addition to concluding several agreements and bolstering its military presence to protect maritime routes, Egypt has also strengthened its position through security cooperation agreements with the Gulf states, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This is evident in Egypt’s direct military presence, such as the deployment of Egyptian fighter jets to the UAE to enhance strategic security and protect vital waterways.
On the other hand, both India and China face economic challenges due to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, given their heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil that transits through it. China is pursuing cautious diplomacy to de-escalate tensions without exerting maximum pressure on Iran, while India is securing safe passage of its oil containers. Here, the two countries play contrasting roles in managing the crisis. Their actions are highlighted by China’s focus on economic diplomacy and parallel mediation through diplomatic efforts.
Beijing is intensifying its diplomatic efforts with Tehran and Washington to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as China rejects the militarisation of the strait or the imposition of any shipping fees. However, despite China’s vital interests (approximately 45 per cent of its oil imports pass through the strait), it refuses to use its economic leverage to exert strong pressure on Iran, considering the root of the problem to lie between Washington and Tehran. China is therefore exploring several economic alternatives, including accelerating the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy, and increasing its oil imports from Russia. China’s role is centred on economic interests and budgetary pressure to protect its vital interests in the Strait of Hormuz and the region’s maritime routes. Hence, China’s mediation efforts in crisis management and mediation are focused on using Beijing’s political and economic weight to pressure Iran to ensure the flow of energy and prevent armed escalation with comprehensive cooperation agreements.
On the Indian side, New Delhi is keen to secure shipping lanes and protect its strategic interests by leveraging its direct influence to counter any disruption to its supplies. In the past, India has concluded strategic military and logistical agreements, most notably securing facilities at the Port of Duqm in Oman, located near the Strait of Hormuz and the entrance to the Arabian Gulf. This ensures energy stability, especially given India’s partial reliance on Iranian and Gulf crude oil imports. Here, India’s role is crucial as India is a strategic partner of the Gulf States and a security ally in the Indian Ocean region. Therefore, New Delhi’s efforts in managing the Strait of Hormuz crisis are focused on securing its economic interests and protecting the large Indian communities in the Gulf and the UAE. It leverages its strong diplomatic relations with both Iran and the Gulf states.
Based on the preceding understanding and analysis, a comparison of the roles of India, China, and Egypt in safeguarding the security of the Strait of Hormuz and managing the crisis reveals that Egypt acts as a “defensive shield”, providing strategic depth to the Gulf powers, in addition to offering logistical solutions and alternatives. Meanwhile, China manages the crisis diplomatically to maintain its oil imports through direct arrangements and understandings with Iran. Thereby, early resolution of the conflict is beneficial for the entire region and the world.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Statecraft Institute.