Indian Navy’s Operation Sankalp and Humanitarian Preparedness in West Asia

Context:
Amid rising tensions and maritime security concerns in West Asia, the Indian Navy has placed warships deployed under Operation Sankalp on standby for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, while continuing efforts to safeguard Indian-flagged merchant vessels.

Key Highlights:

Operation Sankalp Deployment

• The Indian Navy has deployed warships in the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman under Operation Sankalp.
• These ships ensure security for Indian-flagged vessels and merchant shipping routes.

Humanitarian Preparedness

• Naval vessels are on standby to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations if required.
• The preparedness reflects India’s capability to respond rapidly to regional crises.

Current Naval Presence

• Deployment currently includes:
  • A frigate
  • A destroyer
• Their tasks include:
  • Anti-piracy patrols
  • Protection of merchant ships
  • Maritime surveillance

Strategic Naval Engagement

• INS Surat is currently stationed in Bahrain for regional maritime engagement.
• The visit strengthens defence cooperation and maritime security partnerships.

Rising Maritime Threats

• Since 2019, threats to commercial shipping have increased due to:
  • Piracy
  • Regional conflicts
  • Attacks on merchant vessels in West Asian waters.

Significance

• Ensures safe passage for Indian commercial shipping.
• Protects energy supply routes critical for India’s economy.
• Demonstrates India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Operation Sankalp
  • Launched by the Indian Navy in 2019.
  • Objective: Ensure safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels in the Gulf region.
  • Covers areas such as:
    • Gulf of Aden
    • Gulf of Oman
    • Persian Gulf maritime routes.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
  • Emergency aid provided during:
    • Natural disasters
    • Humanitarian crises
    • Conflict situations.
  • Includes medical support, evacuation, food supply, and logistics assistance.
• INS Surat
  • A guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.
  • Part of the Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) stealth destroyers.
• Strategic Maritime Regions
  • Gulf of Aden: Critical shipping route connecting Indian Ocean with the Red Sea via Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
  • Gulf of Oman: Connects Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit chokepoint.

Relevant Mains Points:

Importance of Maritime Security for India

• Energy Security
  • A large portion of India’s oil imports pass through West Asian sea routes.
• Protection of Trade
  • Around 90% of India’s trade by volume moves through sea routes.
• Diaspora Protection
  • West Asia hosts a large Indian expatriate population, requiring preparedness for evacuation.

India as a Net Security Provider

• India’s navy increasingly performs regional security and humanitarian roles.
• Demonstrates strategic reach and responsibility in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Role in Crisis Response

• Indian Navy has conducted multiple HADR operations, including:
  • Operation Rahat (Yemen evacuation).
  • Disaster relief missions after cyclones and tsunamis.

Way Forward

• Strengthen maritime domain awareness (MDA) in the Indian Ocean.
• Enhance naval cooperation with Gulf and Indo-Pacific partners.
• Expand HADR capabilities and logistics infrastructure.
• Invest in modern naval platforms and surveillance systems.

UPSC Relevance:

• Prelims: Operation Sankalp, HADR, INS Surat, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman.
• Mains: Maritime security, India’s role in West Asia, protection of sea lanes, Indian Navy’s strategic role in the Indian Ocean Region.