The Indian Navy said that it has substantially enhanced its maritime surveillance efforts in the Central and North Arabian Sea amid the increasing attacks on commercial ships in the region.
It added that it is operating in close coordination with the Coast Guard to ensure effective surveillance of the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and is closely monitoring the overall situation in coordination with national maritime agencies.
Task Groups Deployed
The Navy noted that the “piracy incident on MV Ruen approximately 700 nautical miles from the Indian coast and recent drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, approximately 220 nautical miles South West of Porbandar indicates a shift in maritime incidents closer to Indian EEZ (exclusive economic zone).”
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“The last few weeks have witnessed increased maritime security incidents on merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Central/ North Arabian Sea,” the Navy stated.
It said that India has augmented its force levels in response to these incidents.
“Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident,” the Navy said in a statement.
The Navy said that in order to have a complete maritime domain awareness, it has enhanced aerial surveillance by long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs).
“Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region,” the statement read.
India Not a Part of Multilateral Operation in Red Sea
Amid the worsening situation in the region due to the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza, MV Ruen was hijacked by Somali Pirates in the Central Arabian Sea, with India sending INS Kochi to help it.
MV Chem Pluto and Gabon-flagged MV Saibaba also suffered drone attacks in the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, respectively.
Last week, Indian DM Rajnath Singh said the Indian Navy promised that the attackers on the India-bound vessels would face consequences for their actions and soon be brought to justice.
While saying that India has stepped up its surveillance, Singh claimed that jealousy and resentment have been stoked in some quarters by India’s rising economic and strategic dominance.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said last week that India is carefully evaluating all aspects of the unfolding situation in that region.
“We value the free movement of commercial shipping, which is one of the fundamental principles underpinning global commerce,” the MEA stated in its comments.
Meanwhile, Indian PM Narendra Modi held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed maritime security following the attacks.
Mentioning the recent drone attacks on India-bound vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, DM Singh said that the Indian government will hunt down the culprits even from the “depths of the ocean.”
He added that the government has taken the attacks on the vessels “extremely seriously.”
Houthi Attacks, International Reaction
On Sunday, US helicopters sank three ships and killed ten militants while repelling an attack by Iran-backed Houthi militants on a Maersk container vessel.
Yemen’s Houthi militants have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestine, as Israel continues to attack Gaza, claiming the lives of 21,800 Palestinians so far.
Attacks on merchant vessels: Indian Navy enhances maritime surveillance efforts in Arabian Seahttps://t.co/nVavxBoaRA
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The Houthi retaliation has led to increased costs for global trade, with major shipping companies suspending operations, increasing insurance expenses, and following the alternate longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.
In order to tackle the situation, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian with the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain to safeguard the shipping routes.
Regarding whether India had any role to play in this, the MEA confirmed that “India is not a part of any multilateral initiative or Operation presently in or around the Red Sea.”