The continued escalations in the Red Sea have prompted India’s Ministry of External Affairs to express worry on Thursday.
When asked if India has discussed the situation in the Red Sea with other major powers, and what New Delhi’s policy on the issue is, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said, “It is a matter of concern, not just for us, but for several international players. We have been discussing this with our interlocutors…the French President was here, with Iran when our External Affairs Minister traveled there, and also with the UAE President when he was here”.
Jaiswal went on to say, “So, it is a matter of concern. We want to address maritime security, we want to address freedom of navigation, as to how we can secure these lanes”.
The MEA official further stated that the Indian Navy is active, and supports various vessels, not only in India but also in other nations.
The Indian Navy also received widespread recognition for its rescue efforts.
“You are also aware that the Indian Navy is active in this area, in the Gulf of Aden, in the Arabian Sea, and they have been providing support… to several vessels, not just Indian, but of other nations as well, and of course, supporting Indian sailors on them, which has been widely reported and widely appreciated”, Jaiswal continued.
Amid maritime security challenges including in the Red Sea, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had previously spoken about the ‘perceptible increase in threats’ to the safety of maritime commercial traffic in an important part of the Indian Ocean, stating that there have been some attacks in the vicinity of India.
He noted that threats to maritime commercial traffic have an impact on India’s energy and economic interests.
The EAM further stated that neither party would benefit from the situation.
He went on to say, “This fraught situation is not to the benefit of any party and this must be recognized”.
Cargo ships have been attacked in the Indian Ocean.
The vessels attacked included the India-bound MV Chem Pluto, which was carrying 21 Indians. The yacht was then escorted by Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram to the Mumbai coast.
