There is a systematic alignment of asymmetric forces against the nation-states, said Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18 while alluding to the Red Sea turmoil and the West Asia crisis.
The Indian Navy has been participating in anti-piracy operations since 2008 and 106 ships have been deployed on rotation over the years to secure merchant vessels 24×7, he said.
“Now, with the current situation, attacks on Israeli-owned vessels have gone up substantially," said Admiral R Hari Kumar. “Since the end of November, we have seen an exponential increase in the number of attacks."
Yemeni rebels began striking Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Hamas-Israel war. The Houthis have since declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.
Waves of retaliatory strikes by the US and UK have so far seemingly been unable to deter the militants.
“The attackers are trying to influence operations on land by carrying out activities at sea," said the Navy chief. They are trying to raise the cost of trade." However, he said, no Indian-flagged ships have been targeted.
The passing of the Anti-Piracy Act of 2022 has been a great enabler for the maritime forces, he said.
“The Indian Navy is very clear that we need to ensure that the Indian Ocean Region is safe, secure, and stable and we are not going to permit any disturbance," said Admiral Kumar.
The diplomatic row between Male and Delhi over Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu asking India to withdraw troops from the island nation is still simmering.
Touching upon it, the Navy chief said, “We have been training them (Maldives) and supporting them…It’s been going on for quite some time. There is extensive cooperation with them. With a change of stance, whatever our government says we will do."
Amid the row, a Chinese ship, equipped to carry out research and surveys, will be docking at a Maldivian port after being permitted by the Male government to make a port call for replenishment.
Speaking about the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean Region, Admiral Kumar said, “The oceans are free, open, and inclusive, and every nation is free to pursue its legitimate interest so long as it does not infringe on others’ national interest. And China has been looking for energy market resources for precious metals. So they have been engaging with countries for all these things."
Chinese research vessels have been operating in international waters, and they have also been invited by some nations like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to do surveys for them in their waters, he pointed out.
“Our concern has been that it should not affect our EZ or our interest," said the Navy chief. “We keep a close watch on them. We keep them under surveillance about what they are up to and what they are doing…We factor it in our planning process."
Admiral Kumar said during the conversation that the Navy is looking at the induction of Rafale aircraft by 2027-28. “We are completely aligned with the Atmanirbhar programme of the Government of India," he also said.
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