LIBYA

NEWS:  It remains in news due to political instability, oil resources, and strategic location in North Africa (Maghreb region).

Location and Boundaries

• Libya is located in North Africa along the Mediterranean Sea (north).
• It shares land borders with Egypt (east), Sudan (southeast), Chad (south), Niger (southwest), Algeria (west), and Tunisia (northwest).

Key Physical Features

• Libyan Desert covers most of the country and is part of the Sahara Desert.
• Great Man-Made River Project is a major engineering project supplying freshwater from underground aquifers, as Libya lacks perennial rivers.
• Ghibli (Sirocco) winds are hot, dry, dust-laden winds blowing from the south.

India–Libya Relations

• India’s engagement is focused on energy security and diaspora safety.
• Operation Safe Homecoming (2011) evacuated around 18,000 Indians during the conflict.
• India imposed a travel ban (since April 2016) due to security concerns.
• Indian companies like BHEL and ONGC have investments in hydrocarbon and power sectors in Libya.