India Launches Significant Naval Operations to Curb Piracy Activities

In a strategic effort to counter piracy, the Indian Navy has mounted a significant presence in the waters near the Red Sea, deploying a sizable fleet to bolster maritime security. The initiative sees over a dozen Indian warships positioned east of the Red Sea, ensuring the safeguarding of ships against pirate assaults, particularly as the Western world's attention is diverted by the volatile activities of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

Amidst a geopolitical landscape that does not include Indian participation in the U.S.-led task force within the Red Sea, India has independently stationed two frontline warships in the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, a fleet comprising at least 10 warships patrols the northern and western Arabian Sea, complemented by aerial surveillance for comprehensive coverage. According to Indian officials, this constitutes India's most extensive naval deployment in the region to date.

Addressing the expanding scale of India's capabilities and its stature as a nation of growing influence, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized India's role as a stabilizing force in the face of regional adversities. Reinforcing the nation's commitment to global responsibility, he highlighted the imperative to act proactively when neighboring regions face crises.

Piracy Resurgence and Naval Response

With piracy resurfacing after a six-year hiatus, the Indian Navy has come into action, inspecting more than 250 watercraft and boarding over 40 suspects in the past couple of months. The increase in vigilant measures comes as a response to at least 17 recorded instances of hijacking and piracy-related threats since December 1, as reported by the Indian Navy. The Houthi faction has exploited the vital Red Sea trade passage, accounting for nearly 12% of all maritime commerce, purportedly in support of the Palestinian cause in the conflict with Israel.

The U.S. leads a task force focused on safeguarding the Red Sea corridor and has conducted strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. However, the complexity of regional conflicts calls for wider security measures beyond the confines of the Red Sea, as indicated by Indian navy officials and experts who note the potential exploitation of these conflicts by pirate groups.

Undertaking duties akin to classic police work, the Indian Navy has been active in various rescue operations, aiding not only Indian but also foreign vessels in distress. India's naval forces aided two Iranian ships and assisted in the recovery of a Sri Lankan fishing craft earlier this week. The Navy had also played a crucial part in December, lending support to merchant vessels amidst aerial strikes in proximity to India's Exclusive Economic Zone. Indian officials pointed out the use of Iran-constructed drones in these strikes without directly attributing blame to Tehran. Foreign Minister Jaishankar's recent visit to Iran encompassed discussions on augmenting maritime security, marking a significant diplomatic engagement concerning regional safety.

Harsh Pant, a foreign policy expert at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, praised the Indian Navy's increasing capacity to safeguard not only its interests but to lend confidence to other regional players by taking on the mantle of regional security provider.

India, Piracy, Navy