India is not part of the US-led force in the Red Sea. However, officials say it currently has two frontline warships in the Gulf of Aden and at least 10 warships in the northern and western Arabian Sea, along with surveillance aircraft. They say it is India’s largest deployment in the region.
An Indian warship. Photo: Indian Navy
India’s growing capabilities and reputation will help address difficult situations in the region, said Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. “We will not be seen as a responsible country if we say we have nothing to do when bad things are happening around us,” he said on Tuesday.
Other countries have naval presences in the region, including the US, France and China, but Indian officials say India's presence is the largest.
Indian military and defense officials say naval personnel, including commandos, have inspected more than 250 ships and small boats in the past two months, seizing more than 40 as piracy returns after a six-year lull.
They said at least 17 incidents of hijacking, attempted hijacking and suspicious approaches have been recorded by the Indian Navy since December 1.
The Indian Navy said it rescued two Iranians and helped rescue a Sri Lankan fishing boat in the first two days of this week. In December, it helped two merchant ships that were attacked near India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Yemen's Houthi forces have since November attacked ships in the Red Sea, part of a waterway that carries about 12% of the world's shipping traffic.
A US-led task force has been protecting ships in the Red Sea and conducting strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces in recent weeks.
Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)
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