At a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting focused on maritime security, India reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring global maritime safety. Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative, presented an overview of the Indian Navy’s enhanced operations in the Western Arabian Sea, emphasizing its pivotal role amid rising threats such as piracy and hostile drone activities.
The session, co-hosted by several countries including Greece and Japan, aimed to address the protection of seafarers and highlighted the escalating dangers plaguing international maritime routes. Harish revealed that the Indian Navy has significantly stepped up its operations in response to an uptick in attacks on shipping. Over the last two years, the Navy has deployed more than 35 ships in the region, carried out over 1,000 boarding operations, and intervened in more than 35 incidents. These interventions often included high-risk actions, such as armed rescues and anti-piracy missions, resulting in the rescue of over 520 lives, emphasizing India’s commitment to humanitarian principles.
The Indian Navy’s efforts have extended beyond mere defensive actions. Since November 2023, it has executed extensive escort missions for vulnerable cargo vessels traversing high-risk waters, successfully escorting over 367 merchant ships, which carried more than 14.7 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at over $6.3 billion. This operation illustrates India’s readiness to safeguard vessels from threats posed by militias and pirate groups, using a combination of warships, maritime patrol aircraft, and real-time threat assessments from onshore command centres.
Attendees at the UNSC meeting noted the current heightened instability in global shipping lanes, citing recurrent Houthi strikes in the Red Sea and the revival of piracy networks along Somalia’s coast. The ramifications of these threats extend beyond individual vessels, potentially disrupting vital trade routes and impacting essential supplies across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Harish also underscored the importance of the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC–IOR), situated in Gurugram, which facilitates intelligence sharing among over 50 partner nations. This intelligence network has been instrumental in enhancing maritime domain awareness and supporting timely responses to piracy and other threats.
Highlighting India’s progressive approach to maritime operations, Harish introduced the Sagar Mein Samman initiative under the Maritime India Vision 2030. This includes a focus on gender-sensitive safety measures and the recent historic deployment of an all-women ship crew, underscoring a commitment to inclusive maritime policies.
In conclusion, Harish expressed India’s readiness to collaborate with the international community to bolster seafarer protection, promote gender equality, and improve the livelihoods of maritime professionals. By strengthening its naval footprint in the Western Arabian Sea, India aims to enhance international confidence in securing global maritime commerce amidst evolving threats related to piracy and conflict.
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