Source: Times of India
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that 21 Indian Navy ships are currently stationed in the troubled area, ensuring the security of international shipping lanes and minimizing trade expenses. He further highlighted that the substantial deployment of Indian Navy vessels to safeguard shipping routes amidst Houthi attacks in the Red Sea has upgraded India’s stature in the world.
Speaking at a session on Northeast India’s integration with Southeast Asia and Japan, Jaishankar said, “With all this tension between people firing missiles and drones and piracy, 21 of our ships are actually on service out there, who are actually protecting international shipping.”
Further highlighting the impact of this deployment, he added, “They keep trade costs down because if you can protect shipping, insurance costs is less, shipping cost is less. So how do you get relevant? And of course, most important, how do you actually get the respect of the world,”
The minister noted that India’s performance on the international front is closely observed, particularly amid its trajectory towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Stressing the interconnectedness of domestic decisions with global perceptions, Jaishankar underscored the importance of India’s actions resonating positively beyond its borders.
He further noted that India’s engagement with critical issues, including maritime security, holds broader implications, as witnessed in recent events impacting global trade.
“So if we are now in the coming weeks going to decide our future in whatever way we wish, it’s not just a conversation amongst ourselves. It’s a conversation or a discussion in which the other 6 billion people are also tuned in. These are all actually aspects of why Bharat matters. But I do want to share with you as someone who travels a fair amount, what is actually our global image today,” he added.
Jaishankar’s remarks come after an Indian warship INS Kochi swiftly came to the aid of a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, MV Andromeda Star, after it faced a missile attack from Houthi militants. An aerial recce was carried out by the Indian Navy helicopter to assess the situation. The navy reported that all 30 crew members, including 22 Indian nationals, were safe, and the vessel is proceeding with its scheduled journey to the next port.
