India Deploys Over A Dozen Warships To Combat Piracy In The Red Sea

India has sent out a dozen warships at least to the east of the Red Sea to guard against the pirates and has looked into more than 250 vessels, per the Indian officials. India doesn’t yet have warships in the Red Sea and has also not joined the task force that the United States leads.

However, officials mentioned that it now has surveillance planes, at least ten warships in the western and northern Arabian Sea, and two frontline vessels in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. They mentioned that this is India’s, so far, most excellent deployment in the zone. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that India deserved aid during difficult times due to its growing interests, ability, and reputation.

India maintains that it has the most naval force in the area, though there are also forces from the US, China, and France.
The Indian military and defence officials stated that naval forces, including the special commandos, had examined more than 250 vessels and small boats over the past two months, boarding over 40 of them. This is in response to the return of piracy following a six-year break.

Based on the Indian Navy’s report, there have been at least 17 reports of attempted hijacking, hijacking, and suspicious approaches since December 1. In the first two days of this week, the Indian Navy saved two Iranian fishing vessels and helped rescue a Sri Lankan fishing vessel. It aided two merchant ships that were the key targets of airstrikes in December in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Houthis from Yemen have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea since November. This waterway is used by 12% of international commercial traffic. They say this is an attempt to support the Palestinians in their fight against Israel. This month, while protecting vessels in the Red Sea, an American-led task force started striking Houthi forces across Yemen.

Reference: FirstPost

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Source: Maritime Shipping News