INDIA’S FUEL EXPORTS TO EUROPE RECOVER IN FEB; TAKE LONGER ROUTE AROUND AFRICA:

Why in the news?

India’s petroleum exports to Europe surged in February due to disruptions in the Red Sea and Europe’s reliance on US supplies.

Recovery from Red Sea Crisis:

  • January’s Red Sea disruptions led to a dip in India’s petroleum exports to Europe.
  • February saw a remarkable recovery with a 124% surge in exports.
  • Diesel exports tripled; jet fuel exports rose by 68.5%.
Key Features about Red Sea :

●   The Red Sea is semi-enclosed, bordered by northeastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula.

●   It stretches between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.

●   Divides into the Gulf of Aqaba and Gulf of Suez in the north, and connects to the Gulf of Aden in the south.

●   Linked to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb.

About The Cape of Good Hope:

●   The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on South Africa’s Atlantic coast.

●   It’s a headland, a narrow landmass protruding into the sea.

●   This route links Eastern Asia and Europe to southern Africa.

●   The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 offered a shorter route.

●   Cape Agulhas, 150 km east-southeast, is actually the southernmost point.

●   The warm Agulhas current meets the cold Benguela current between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point.