Indian Navy Boosts Warship Presence Amid Rising Tensions in West Asia

Increased Naval Operations in the Gulf of Oman

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has ramped up its warship deployments in the Gulf of Oman, providing escort services for Indian-flagged vessels navigating from the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes in response to escalating tensions in West Asia, which have raised alarms regarding global energy security.

Government sources indicate that Indian-flagged tankers are continuing their passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, arriving safely at Indian ports with naval protection. Ships such as Shivalik, Nanda Devi, and Jag Ladki have successfully reached their destinations under the Navy's escort.

This increased deployment falls under the Navy's 'mission-based deployment' strategy, which has seen at least one warship stationed near the Gulf of Oman since 2017. Given the current security landscape, the Navy has decided to bolster its presence in the area.

Initially, the number of warships in the region was raised from one to three, and it has since been further increased, although the specific count remains undisclosed. These vessels are primarily responsible for escorting Indian-flagged ships through sensitive maritime routes, ensuring their safe transit to secure waters.

Currently, there are 22 Indian vessels operating west of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Indian Navy's mission-based deployment framework ensures a continuous presence in six maritime regions globally. This system, active since 2017, aims to enhance maritime security and facilitate rapid responses to emerging threats.

Additionally, two significant naval operations are ongoing near the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden. 'Operation Sankalp' is focused on safeguarding merchant shipping in the Gulf of Oman, while an anti-piracy operation is being conducted in the Gulf of Aden.

During a recent inter-ministerial press briefing regarding the West Asia situation, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the Indian Navy's presence in the region is primarily for anti-piracy efforts and supports various maritime security initiatives.

Further operational details are expected to be shared by the Ministry of Defence.

Beyond the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, the Navy maintains a presence near Seychelles to protect vessels along the Cape of Good Hope route and to combat piracy threats. Additional deployments are also established near the Maldives, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and in the Bay of Bengal adjacent to the Myanmar-Bangladesh maritime area.

During these operations, Indian naval ships engage in exercises with allied foreign navies and provide humanitarian assistance, relief, and rescue operations in cases of piracy or maritime accidents.