Control over Maritime Chokepoints an Assurance of Secure Lifeline

Author: Md. Mehadi Amin Miah, S. M. Saief Uddin Ahmed, Kazi Shaila Sultana
DOI: doi.org/10.70279/bmj-v3-i1-1011
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From ancient time explorers and military people traveled different lands for a living. In course of time, this natural need institutionalized through trade and commerce. Complementary interest rose through exchange mode of trade but contradictory condition developed with coercive military might in pursuit of wealth. Explorers tried to look for a geographical shortest way to save time and energy. Thereby the major geographical choke points of the world have become significant both from geopolitical and geo strategic perspective. There are approximately 200 straits or canals around the world but only a handful are known as choke points. Choke points are the strategic strait or canal which could be closed or blockaded to restrict energy flow or lifelines of governing states. This type of geopolitical aggression could surely cause international discontent. In 1982 Law of the Sea Convention further protected the international access for nations to sail through straits or canals and ensured these passageways are available as aviation routes for all nations. Hence the control over such geographical choke points and canals can assure politico-economic relief for nations whose main energy flow or lifeline exclusively depends on safe passage through geographical choke points