India has refused to participate in President Joe Biden's Red Sea security initiative, Operation Prosperity Guardian, but senior Indian naval officials said on Monday that they will continue to thwart Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists and other pirates in Yemen. It was announced that 10 warships had been dispatched.
“Indian warships are deployed across the region to strengthen surveillance and deterrence against the twin threats of piracy and drone attacks.The objective is to stabilize the situation in the Arabian Sea and ensure maritime security. to facilitate it,” said an Indian naval officer. Said of indian era (TOI) Monday.
Toi reported that India has sent three more guided missile destroyers and two frigates to join the INS. chennai, guided missile destroyer, foil stamping An attempted hijacking by pirates occurred off the coast of Somalia on Thursday. The Indian Navy said this incident, combined with a hijacking and drone attack in December, made it clear that the threat was moving closer to India's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Our warships inspected a large number of ships passing through the area,” said another Indian naval officer. Too. “Some were boarded by marine special forces.”
The second officer was keen to dispel the “misconception” that Indian warships are not as well equipped to repel drone attacks as the US and British navies. extremely successful When they shot down a Houthi drone. The officer said the Indian ships are equipped with “various guns, short and medium-range air defense missiles” and “jamming devices that can be used depending on the situation.”
India's increased presence in the Arabian and Red Sea theaters includes several long-range intelligence aircraft and drones, including US-made models such as the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and the MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone. There is. Although India is not an official member of the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, Mr. TOI Officials said India is sharing data from these aircraft with the navies of the US, UK and France.
“As an emerging power in its own right, India is committed to playing a larger and more active role as a responsible security and development partner and provider, not only in the Indian Ocean region but also in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Don McLean Gil, a geopolitical analyst based in the Philippines. Said Sunday U.S. Naval Institute News (USNI).
Indian Navy releases photos and videos of Maritime Command (Marcos) rescuing hijacked ship MV lyla norfolk It also includes a video of the Indian and Filipino crew members thanking Marcos for his assistance.
#IndianNavyRapid response to the attempted hijacking of the MV Lira Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea.
All 21 crew members (including) #15 Indian) safely evacuated from the citadel on board a ship.Disinfection by MARCO confirmed the absence of the hijacker.
Attempted hijacking by pirates… https://t.co/OvudB0A8VV pic.twitter.com/616q7avNjg
— Navy spokesperson (@indiannavy) January 5, 2024
The Indian Navy said the exact identity of the hijacker MV's crew remains unknown. lyla norfolk During the attack, the hijackers took shelter in a fortified safe room and fled when the Indian warship INS approached. Chennai.
“Upon reaching the target ship, the Indian Navy's maritime commandos thoroughly disinfected the area. Interestingly, no pirates were visible on board the ship during the operation,” said Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Commander of the Indian Navy. Told. Said on sunday.
“It appears that the pirates fled the ship after seeing our aircraft and drones on board being hijacked.” Lily [sic] norfolk The night itself from January 4th to 5th. “Marine special forces had to disinfect the ship for traps and other problems,” he said.
India is almost certainly one of the first countries approached by the Biden administration to join Operation Prosperity Guardian, and the list of member states has been made public. somewhat stealthy. Although the administration claims more than 20 countries are participating, it names only about 12 of them, and many only provide “staff and other types of assistance.” .
Some anonymous participants feared diplomatic or terrorist retaliation if they joined an alliance against Iran's terrorist proxy group, the Houthis, which claims to have closed the Red Sea to punish Israel's military operation against Hamas. It is said that there are some.
According to Marine Insight News Network (MI), the same is true in India, which is claimed by the United States. invited He is scheduled to take part in Operation Prosperity Guardian in January, but has not yet accepted the invitation due to “concerns about the potential for escalation of hostilities.”
The US Embassy in India declined to discuss negotiations over participation in Operation Prosperity Guardian, but India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said only that India is “very interested in promoting the free flow of merchant ships.” I just mentioned it.
“We welcome other countries, including India, to join us in protecting freedom of navigation in the region's vital waterways, including by participating in Operation Prosperity Guardian,” the US embassy said. Said Mint News Network Thursday.
On Monday, Pakistan Navy Said Pakistan has also deployed warships in the Arabian Sea to protect its trade routes. Pakistani navy officials said they were willing to send their ships after rival India increased its presence and used force to rescue the MV. lyla norfolk From pirates.
Pakistan's navy has declared that “Pakistan deploys warships in the Arabian Sea to maintain maritime security on the high seas, and not to support any particular country against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.''
