https://sputniknews.in/20231225/india-wont-be-part-of-us-led-operation-in-red-sea-navy-veteran-5959248.html
India Won't be Part of US-led Operation in Red Sea: Navy Veteran
India Won't be Part of US-led Operation in Red Sea: Navy Veteran
Sputnik India
Two purported attacks directed at merchant vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas in the last week have raised concerns about the security of maritime traffic in the region, which lies near the critical chokepoint of Suez Canal.
2023-12-25T19:08+0530
2023-12-25T19:08+0530
2023-12-25T19:08+0530
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Two purported attacks directed at merchant vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas in the last week have raised concerns about the security of maritime traffic in the region, which lies near the critical chokepoint of Suez Canal connecting the continents of Asia and Europe.Both the aerial attacks took place in the northern Indian Ocean Region (IOR), an area where India considers itself as a net provider of security as well as a first responder to any crisis, according to previous statements by Indian government officials.However, accountability is yet to be fixed for these attacks.The Indian Navy has said that it has been monitoring the regional security situation and remained in touch with all the stakeholders."One could look at the range of different missiles and drones. It could all be calculated because India has an effective maritime domain awareness (MDA) programme. On a 24*7 basis, all the big vessels are tracked," he noted.He, however, expressed doubt if any country, be it US, Iran or Yemen, would specifically target an Indian-linked merchant vessel.How is India Responding to the Security Situation in the Red Sea?Several major global shipping companies have already announced that they would stop plying on the Red Sea route in view of the security situation, and would rather take a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope on Africa's southern tip.Around 15 percent of the global commerce, amounting to around $1 trillion, passes through the Red Sea, according to official estimates.Reports suggest that shipping freights rates have increased due to the security situation and a potential rise in prices of certain commodities or goods may be on the cards as the cost burden could be passed on to consumers.At the weekly briefing last week, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi underscored the point that Indian Navy was already part of global efforts to ensure "safe transit of ships" in the Arabian Sea and the region.Vasan stated that New Delhi has reasons to be "gravely concerned" about the security situation in the Red Sea.He further underscored that the role of Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) would become more critical in coming days.The IFC-IOC, which reports to the Indian Navy, is responsible for facilitating maritime coordination among different navies operating in the Indian Ocean. International Liaison Officers (ILOs) from 12 partner countries are posted at the IFC-IOC, which is located in Gurugram on New Delhi's outskirts.India Stands on Its Own, not Part of any Camp': VasanPlans to enlist new members in Operation Prosperity Guardian have suffered setbacks since it was announced by US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin. Major American partners in the Middle-East such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have opted to stay out of it, with Baharain being the only exception.At least three of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies—Italy, France and Spain—have reportedly said that they would prefer carrying out their naval missions than being part of Washington-led naval force.Pentagon has said that it would “continue to consult closely” with its allies and partners in a bid to expand the coalition.He noted that New Delhi had consistently advocated against expanding the Gaza conflict and was seeking a solution through dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.Vasan underlined that India has refused to be part of any camp or institutional mechanism till date.He, however, suggested that one could expect a cooperation and coordination between Indian Navy and other navies which are in the region in view of the security situation to avoid any confusion on areas of respective responsibilities.Vasan predicted that the situation was evolving to be what it was during the anti-piracy missions between 2008 and 2013, when different countries had their own naval delegations to protect merchant vessels from attacks from Somali pirates.
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India Won't be Part of US-led Operation in Red Sea: Navy Veteran
New Delhi is seen as being reluctant to be part of US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multination US-led naval taskforce announced by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during a trip to Bahrain.
Two purported attacks directed at merchant vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas in the last week have raised concerns about the security of maritime traffic in the region, which lies near the critical chokepoint of Suez Canal connecting the continents of Asia and Europe.
Both the aerial attacks took place in the northern
Indian Ocean Region (IOR), an area where India considers itself as a
net provider of security as well as a first responder to any crisis, according to previous statements by Indian government officials.
However, accountability is yet to be fixed for these attacks.
On both the occasions, the US has claimed that an Iranian drone (in the case of MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea) and a Houthi drone (MV Saibaba in Red Sea) targeted the vessels.
However, the Houthis have accused a US warship, part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, of accidently firing at MV Saibaba, while the American vessel was targeting a Yemeni reconnaissance plane over the Red Sea.
The Indian Navy has said that it has been monitoring the regional security situation and remained in touch with all the stakeholders.
Indian Navy veteran Commodore Seshadri Vasan, currently the Director-General of Chennai Center for China Studies (C3S), told Sputnik India that New Delhi possessed the required capabilities to figure out the origin of both the aerial objects.
"Only a tactical picture analysed by correlating the intended position and movements of various units will be able to tell whether the aerial projectiles originated from locations controlled by Houthis or if it came from the sea where another vessel carried out these attacks. This origin could be ascertained through studying the routes of ships which were there at the time of the attack and by analysing the time frame and space required by different missiles or drones to reach Saibaba or other ships," the Navy veteran explained.
"One could look at the range of different missiles and drones. It could all be calculated because India has an effective maritime domain awareness (MDA) programme. On a 24*7 basis, all the big vessels are tracked," he noted.
He, however, expressed doubt if any country, be it US, Iran or Yemen, would specifically target an Indian-linked merchant vessel.
"I am not sure if anyone would specifically target an Indian-linked vessel because we enjoy good relations with most of the countries involved in the dispute. These attacks or near-misses could be an accident or maybe intended to instil fear that the conflict could escalate. There may also be some strategic objectives which drove these attacks," reckoned Vasan.
How is India Responding to the Security Situation in the Red Sea?
Several major global shipping companies have already announced that they would stop plying on the Red Sea route in view of the security situation, and would rather take a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope on Africa's southern tip.
Around 15 percent of the global commerce, amounting to around $1 trillion, passes through the Red Sea, according to official estimates.
Reports suggest that shipping freights rates have increased due to the security situation and a potential rise in prices of certain commodities or goods may be on the cards as the cost burden could be passed on to consumers.
The Indian Navy, which has maintained a warship presence in the Gulf of Aden, is currently operating at least three warships (INS Murmugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata) in the region, according to official statements.
At the weekly briefing last week, the
Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi underscored the point that Indian Navy was already
part of global efforts to ensure "safe transit of ships" in the Arabian Sea and the region.
Vasan stated that New Delhi has reasons to be "gravely concerned" about the security situation in the Red Sea.
"India is responsible for the security of the maritime traffic within the borders of its Exclusive Economic Zone, which is 200 nautical miles from the coastline. However, any incident that takes place along the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) is a matter of grave concern to the entire international community as 90 percent of the global trade takes place at sea. India is no exception. We depend on sea for our energy and other imports as well exports," Vasan explained.
He further underscored that the role of Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) would become more critical in coming days.
The IFC-IOC, which reports to the Indian Navy, is responsible for facilitating maritime coordination among different navies operating in the Indian Ocean. International Liaison Officers (ILOs) from 12 partner countries are posted at the IFC-IOC, which is located in Gurugram on New Delhi's outskirts.
“We have foreign navy delegates present at Gurugram. I believe that the current focus would be on studying the ships entering the Red Sea area, the ships exiting the region and the types of cargoes that they would be carrying,” Vasan stated.
India Stands on Its Own, not Part of any Camp': Vasan
Plans to enlist
new members in Operation Prosperity Guardian have suffered setbacks since it was announced by US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin. Major American partners in the Middle-East such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have opted to stay out of it, with Baharain being the only exception.
At least three of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies—Italy, France and Spain—have reportedly said that they would prefer carrying out their naval missions than being part of Washington-led naval force.
Pentagon has said that it would “continue to consult closely” with its allies and partners in a bid to expand the coalition.
Vasan said that despite being member of US-led Quad grouping, New Delhi would stay out of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
"The very fact that some of the NATO allies have decided to carry out their own independent patrols rather than being part of the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian tells you the story. Not everyone is keen to become part of this naval taskforce. The moment you become part of such a mission, you find out that there is also a cost to be borne. The cost of mounting such a naval taskforce is also something which will be borne by the partners," the Indian Navy veteran said.
He noted that New Delhi had consistently advocated
against expanding the Gaza conflict and was seeking a solution through dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
Vasan underlined that India has refused to be part of any camp or institutional mechanism till date.
"That's why India has also resisted attempts by the US to label Quad as a formal alliance or to invite NATO in Asia-Pacific. Therefore, it seems clear that India won't be part of this US-led naval taskforce. To be more precise, India won't be part of any institution mechanism where it is compelled to be part of naval coalition and follow directives of the US or any other country leading such a mission," asserted Vasan.
He, however, suggested that one could expect a cooperation and coordination between Indian Navy and other navies which are in the region in view of the security situation to avoid any confusion on areas of respective responsibilities.
Vasan predicted that the situation was evolving to be what it was during the anti-piracy missions between 2008 and 2013, when different countries had their own naval delegations to protect merchant vessels from attacks from Somali pirates.
