The Indian Navy has deployed a warship in the Gulf region to ensure the security of India’s sea-borne trade and effectively respond to any emergent situation in the wake of fast escalating tensions between the US and Iran, officials said.

Iran launched missile strikes against two American military bases in Iraq on January 8 in retaliation to the killing of its top commander General Qassem Soleimani by the US in a drone strike.

The Indian Navy said a warship and aircraft were deployed to establish presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchant crew, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises.

Operation Sankalp

Last year, the Navy had launched a maritime security drill code-named Operation Sankalp in the strategically key region following attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman on June 19, 2019.  

INS Chennai and INS Sunayna were deployed in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to undertake maritime security operations. In addition, aerial surveillance by Navy aircraft was also undertaken in the area.

“Indian Navy warships and aircraft were deployed to establish presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchant men, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises,” the Navy said.

At present, one warship is deployed for Operation Sankalp.

The operation is being undertaken in close coordination with all stakeholders including ministry of defence, ministry of external affairs, ministry of shipping and ministry of petroleum and natural gas.

“Regular inter-ministerial meetings have been held to review the evolving maritime security situation in the Gulf region,” a senior official said.

“Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation in the Gulf region and is maintaining its presence in the region to ensure the security of sea-borne trade and the safety of Indian flag merchant vessels transiting through the region,” the defence ministry said.

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