A recent study published by TRENDS Research & Advisory concludes that Gulf security is no longer a regional issue confined to the Middle East. Instead, it has become a strategic priority for the broader Indo-Pacific region due to the growing dependence of Asian countries on energy supplies transported through the Strait of Hormuz.
The study, titled “From Hormuz to the Indo-Pacific: How Asian Dependence Is Globalizing Gulf Security,” was authored by researchers Najla Al Midfa and Hessa Abdulla Al Nuaimi. It provides an in-depth analysis of the fundamental transformation in the concept of regional security and the growing interconnection between energy security and geopolitical stability.
Asia’s Growing Dependence on the Strait of Hormuz
The study highlights the scale of Asia’s reliance on Gulf energy exports. In 2024, nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz, representing approximately 20% of global oil consumption. Of this volume, 84% of crude oil and 83% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports were destined for Asian markets.
According to the study, China, India, Japan, and South Korea together account for 69% of the total crude oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the strategic vulnerability of Asia’s energy supply. Japan imports around 77% of its oil requirements from the Middle East, while South Korea and Taiwan exhibit similarly high levels of dependence.
China and India: Strengthening Energy Security
The study notes that Asian countries have adopted proactive strategies to mitigate these risks and strengthen their energy security.
China has built one of the world’s largest strategic petroleum reserves, reaching approximately 1.39 billion barrels by March 2026—enough to cover around 120 days of oil imports. It has also diversified its import sources, reducing the Middle East’s share of its oil imports from 52% a decade ago to approximately 42% in 2025, while increasing supplies from Russia and Central Asia through overland pipelines.
India, meanwhile, has redefined the Gulf as part of its “extended strategic neighborhood.” Through Operation Sankalp, India deployed 21 naval vessels across the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea to protect commercial shipping. It also secured logistical access to Oman’s Port of Duqm and reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to store up to 30 million barrels of crude oil in strategic storage facilities in Fujairah, located outside the Strait of Hormuz, thereby enhancing supply resilience.
The UAE: A Strategic Bridge Between the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific
The study concludes that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is among the principal beneficiaries of these geopolitical shifts, positioning itself as a strategic bridge linking Gulf security with the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
This role is supported by several key advantages:
- Strategic Geographic Location: Fujairah, situated on the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz, provides an important alternative export route. Its port is one of the world’s leading bunkering hubs. The Abu Dhabi–Fujairah crude oil pipeline has a capacity of approximately 1.5 million barrels per day, and ADNOC plans to double this capacity through a new pipeline expected to be completed in 2027.
- Multi-Vector Diplomacy: The UAE has maintained balanced relations with major global powers, including the United States, China, and India, strengthening its position as a trusted strategic partner. This approach has been reinforced through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Cambodia, while additional agreements are being pursued with Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the UAE has evolved beyond its traditional role as an energy exporter to become an active architect of regional and international energy security arrangements that underpin the economic stability of Asia. This reflects a fundamental transformation in the concept of Gulf security—from a regional issue to a global strategic priority closely linked to energy security and international economic stability.
