How Indian Navy Solves Complexities of Piracy & Instability in the Red Sea

The Indian Navy assisted in freeing a Sri Lankan fishing vessel from pirates off the coast of Somalia on Tuesday, thwarting the third attempt at hijacking in two days, according to Navy authorities.

The Coast Guard of the Seychelles intercepted the vessel with the assistance of the Indian Navy. Following an assurance that they were all secure, the six crew members were taken to Mahe in the Seychelles.

Navigating Turbulent Waters: Deciphering the Challenges of Piracy and Unrest in the Red Sea

“The primary cause behind the emergence of piracy is instability," retired Vice Admiral Satish Kumar Namdeo Ghormade told Sputnik India.

"Looking back at a time when Somalia was a failed state, the absence of effective maritime security allowed vessels from other nations to engage in fishing, paving the way for the rise of piracy. Over time, the presence of maritime forces helped mitigate this issue,” he added.

Admiral stated that the “Red Sea region faces heightened instability due to Houthi actions against commercial shipping, leaving a vacuum for pirates to exploit”.

Evaluating the current situation, Ghormade emphasized “the need to avoid a recurrence of the piracy challenges from the specified time. India aims to prevent the eastward spread of piracy, given the rising risks in the hydrosphere, leading to increased insurance costs and vessel re-routing.”

“The Indian Navy regularly deploys multiple ships across the vast Indo-Pacific region. An example is INS Sumedha which, after an anti-piracy patrol, navigated through the Red Sea, Suez Canal, and the entire west coast of Africa,” retired Captain Sarabjeet S Parmar, Distinguished Fellow at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR), and The United Service Institution of India (USI) told Sputnik India.

FILE- INS Chennai, a Kolkata class destroyer, is moored at a jetty in Mumbai, India, Friday, Nov. 18, 2016.

Indian Navy's Vigilance: Strategic Deployment of Assets Amid Escalating Tensions in the Red Sea

Due to the heightened tensions in the Red Sea, Parmar stated that “up to 12 Indian Naval warships and additional assets are actively deployed in the immediate area. While the primary focus is on the Red Sea, the Indian Navy maintains a strategic presence in both primary and secondary areas of maritime interest at any given time”.

“India is employing a comprehensive strategy, utilizing UAVs (unmanned aerial vessels), deploying ships with onboard helicopters, and Information sharing is facilitated through the International Fusion Center (IFC IOR) at Gurugram,” the expert noted.

The Captain emphasised that “the concentration of warships from various nations in the narrow region between the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen, and the North Arabian Sea has significantly increased”.

Indian Navy destroyer responded to SOS call in Gulf of Aden.

30 to 40 ships Deployed in Red Sea is Deemed Insufficient: Expert

Presently, the Red Sea, according to the expert, “has around 30 to 40 ships deployed to counter the Houthis and ensure secure passage, but this is deemed insufficient. While military actions, such as the U.S. and the UK targeting Houthi strongholds, is more like a shooting war, the ultimate resolution lies in diplomatic efforts on land through diplomatic and political processes.”

“A recent incident involving a Sri Lankan fishing vessel showcased effective collaboration, with the Seychelles Coast Guard apprehending pirates. India's involvement, including a ship sailed out from Kochi and a UAV monitoring the situation, highlighted the seamless exchange of information. This exemplifies a prime instance of cooperative mechanisms and interoperability among maritime forces in addressing shared threats,” said the Captain.

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