Indian officials have revealed that India has deployed at least 12 warships near the Red Sea to provide protection against pirates and has investigated over 250 ships and boats while Western powers are focusing on attacks by Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen. India has not joined the U.S.-led task force in the Red Sea and does not have any warships there. However, officials stated that it currently has two warships in the Gulf of Aden and at least ten warships in the North and West Arabian Sea, along with reconnaissance aircraft. They added that this is India’s largest deployment in the region.
Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that India’s growing capabilities, interests, and reputation require it to assist in difficult situations. He mentioned in a public event on Tuesday, “We will not consider ourselves a responsible country when bad things happen in the neighboring state and say it’s not my problem.”
Other countries have a maritime presence in the region, including the United States, France, and China, but Indian officials claim that India's presence is the largest. Military and defense officials stated that naval personnel, including special forces, have investigated over 250 ships and small boats in the past two months, and have boarded more than 40 of them as piracy has resurged after a six-year hiatus. They noted that the Indian Navy has recorded at least 17 incidents of hijacking, attempted hijacking, and suspicious approaches since January 1.
Since November, the Houthis in Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, which is part of a route through which about 12 percent of global shipping traffic passes. The Yemeni group claims it is trying to support Palestinians in the war with Israel. A U.S.-led task force is protecting ships in the Red Sea and launched strikes across Yemen targeting Houthi forces this month.
However, Indian experts have noted that the conflict extends beyond the Red Sea. A naval official who requested anonymity stated, “The Houthis and piracy are separate issues. But pirates are trying to exploit this opportunity as Western efforts are focused on the Red Sea.” A spokesperson for the Indian Navy did not respond to a request for comment.
