Red Sea Turmoil: India Supports Free Movement Of Commercial Shipping, Says MEA

In the wake of Houthi rebels” attacks on ships along the Red Sea, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised India”s support for the free movement of commercial shipping. According to MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, India is monitoring the developments along the Red Sea.

“India has always been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping so that is something that we are interested in. We are, of course, monitoring the developments there,” Bagchi said while addressing a weekly press meeting on Thursday. He reiterated India”s support for ensuring free shipping for the international community.

“We are also part of international efforts to ensure free shipping; whether it be piracy or otherwise, India has been involved in it. So we will continue to monitor that,” he added.

Bagachi also supported the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian alliance, which constituted guarding the ships transiting along the Arabian Sea.

“There was some communication regarding this task force operation…We have been part of efforts to ensure the safe transit of ships in the Arabian Sea and we value the free movement of commercial shipping,” he added.

Operation Prosperity Guardian will involve the navies of Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain, the UK and the US. The task force falls under the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational alliance tasked with defending the world”s shipping lanes.

Houthis, in alliance with other militant groups, has been creating havoc along the Red Sea in protest against the Israel assault on Gaza. They have been targeting the ships with drones and rockets and attacking US positions and assets.