Indian Navy Ensures Safety in the Indian Ocean

In a recent operation, India's naval capabilities were showcased as they successfully rescued the MV Ruen, a ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, flying the flag of Malta, fell victim to piracy on December 14 of the previous year. With 18 crew members and approximately $1 million worth of cargo on board, the ship's unfortunate situation called for immediate action.

Promptly responding to the attack, the Indian Navy deployed the stealth destroyer INS Kochi, intercepting the hijacked ship. One of the injured crew members received urgent medical attention and was safely transported to Oman for further treatment. Simultaneously, the guided-missile destroyer INS Kolkata was also deployed to the region, demonstrating India's commitment to safeguarding commercial vessels in the face of increasing piracy attacks in the Indian Ocean.

While the initial interception and rescue operation garnered global attention, the remaining crew members remained in the custody of the Somali pirates who had taken the vessel to Bosaso, a city in the autonomous region of Puntland, Somalia. The Indian Navy closely monitored the situation, awaiting the right opportunity to launch an anti-piracy operation and reclaim control of the ship.

In mid-March, the moment arrived, and India initiated the operation to rescue the remaining crew members. The pirates intended to use the MV Ruen as a "mothership" for targeting other merchant vessels in the region. To counter this threat, the Indian Navy mobilized INS Kolkata, INS Subhadra, the maritime patrol aircraft P-8L, and a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle. Additionally, elite marine commandos (MARCOS) were airdropped from C-17 aircraft as part of India's comprehensive anti-piracy operation, which successfully concluded on March 16.

The operation resulted in the safe rescue of all 17 crew members and the surrender of the 35 Somali pirates on board, who were subsequently brought to trial in Mumbai. The President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, expressed profound gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's courageous actions, as seven of the rescued crew members were Bulgarian nationals.

These consecutive incidents underscore India's growing naval prowess in the Indian Ocean. In January, the Indian Navy's warship INS Sumitra rescued a fishing vessel, Al Naemi, in the Southern Arabian Sea, along with its 19 Pakistani crew members. Another notable incident involved the prompt response to a distress call from the Iranian vessel FV Iman, saving its 17 crew members from Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy has also protected vessels from Houthi terrorist attacks, as exemplified by the successful rescue of MV Merlian Luanda, a United Kingdom ship, from a Houthi assault with the assistance of INS Visakhapatnam, a guided missile destroyer.

In recent months, the security of the high seas has become a significant challenge due to the combined threats of piracy and Houthi terrorism. A report by the Indian Navy reveals a 20% increase in piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Indian Ocean Region in 2023, compared to the previous year, with a total of 194 recorded incidents. The Indian Navy's dedicated Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), a regional maritime security center, prepared this report.

Interestingly, the Indian Ocean was removed from the list of "high-risk areas" just a year ago due to a visible reduction in piracy attacks resulting from coordinated patrolling efforts by multiple countries over the past decade. However, with other nations shifting their focus to combat the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the Somali coast has witnessed a resurgence of piracy threats.

Some sources suggest a collaboration between pirates and Houthi rebels, with intelligence reports indicating linkages between Hamas-backed Houthis and the Al Shabab group in Somalia. As the security gap in the Indian Ocean widens due to these multiple threats, India, being the dominant power in the region with an economic size of $3.6 trillion, is expected to play a more significant role in ensuring the safety of this maritime region.

India's trade heavily relies on the Indian Ocean, with 90% of its trade volume passing through the region, including critical oil imports. Recognizing this early on, India began deploying anti-piracy ships in the Gulf of Aden since 2008. Presently, at least ten Indian warships are actively combating piracy in the region. With the attention of countries like the UK and the US shifting to address the Houthi threat, the Indian Navy shoulders a substantial responsibility. The Indian Navy firmly asserts its pre-eminence in the Indian Ocean Region and acknowledges its larger role in safeguarding smooth passage through the high seas.

Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Indian Navy, unequivocally states that while China may have legitimate economic interests in the Indian Ocean region, it is India, as the "resident naval power," that mustTitle: India's Growing Naval Power Ensures Safety in the Indian Ocean

India's recent successful rescue operation of the hijacked ship MV Ruen from Somali pirates highlights the nation's rising naval prowess and its commitment to securing the Indian Ocean. The operation, which saved the ship's crew members and valuable cargo, demonstrates India's capability to respond to piracy threats in the region. With an increasing number of piracy incidents and the emergence of new security challenges, India's role as the resident naval power in the Indian Ocean becomes crucial for maintaining maritime safety.