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New Delhi. After the recent attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Arabian Sea and off the coast of Oman, the eyes of the whole world have turned to the sea corridors of West Asia. Now the official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India has come out on this serious challenge that has arisen regarding the security of merchant ships in international waters. India has openly clarified that such incidents targeting innocent seafarers and international maritime trade are extremely worrying. New Delhi has stressed on resolving this entire dispute through peace, dialogue and diplomatic means and has called for utmost restraint from all concerned parties.
This latest incident near Oman has once again highlighted the sensitivity of the Indian Ocean and its associated major maritime trade routes. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said during a high-level press conference held in New Delhi that India is keeping a close watch on the entire incident. Any attack on commercial vessels is not only a direct violation of the sovereignty and maritime rules of the countries concerned, but can also prove to be a major blow to regional stability, energy supply and global economic interests. India’s stance comes at a time when globally there is already a huge increase in freight costs and insurance rates due to security concerns in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman.
India has always been a strong supporter of Freedom of Navigation. This entire area of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea is considered the lifeline of Indian imports and exports. India meets a large part of its energy needs through imports of oil and natural gas from the Gulf countries. In such a situation, when any merchant ship is targeted in Oman’s maritime border or its surrounding international waters, it has a direct impact on Indian ports, energy security and the shipping industry here. The Ministry of External Affairs clearly underlined that the security of sea lanes is essential to ensure the smooth functioning of global trade.
According to the official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs, commercial vessels should not be made a part of any geopolitical conflict or tension. India reiterated that whenever such incidents occur, the lives of innocent crew members, often including a large number of Indian sailors, are at risk. Indian seafarers constitute more than ten percent of the global merchant navy. Therefore, whenever a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea or the Gulf of Oman is attacked by drones, missiles or pirates, India’s priority is to ensure the safety of its citizens and sailors.
The Ministry of External Affairs stressed in its statement that any issue cannot be resolved by show of force or aggressive actions, rather it makes the dispute more serious. India’s foreign policy has always been based on peaceful coexistence and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). New Delhi said that the current tense situation can be resolved only through intensive diplomatic talks and constructive dialogue. All concerned parties must respect international rules so that free movement of ships on the high seas can continue without any fear or obstruction.
India has deep, strategic and friendly relations with all the major countries of West Asia and the Gulf region. India’s age-old trade and defense ties, particularly with Oman, are extremely strong. Both the countries have been regularly conducting joint exercises on maritime security. In such a situation, it is natural for India to be active and vocal when the security situation in the coastal areas of Oman deteriorates. New Delhi believes that to restore regional peace, the leadership of the countries concerned should immediately come to the dialogue table so that the dark clouds hovering over the trade routes can be removed in time.
Since this incident, the Indian Navy has also increased its presence and surveillance manifold in the Arabian Sea and surrounding sensitive maritime areas. Indian Navy warships, patrol vessels and long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft are continuously patrolling the area. India is not only providing escort and security to its own merchant ships but is also providing immediate humanitarian and technical assistance to commercial ships of other countries in distress. After this latest incident off the coast of Oman, the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy has also been put on high alert, so that immediate relief and rescue operations can be conducted in case of any emergency.
Experts believe that if the incidents of attacks on merchant ships in Oman and the Arabian Sea area do not stop, it will have a direct impact on common consumers across the world including India. Due to security reasons, ships will have to go through the long route of ‘Cape of Good Hope’ in Africa, which will increase the time of cargo transportation by 15 to 20 days. The result of this will be that the prices of crude oil, LPG, fertilizers and essential commodities of daily consumption will start touching the sky. This is why India has strongly advocated for immediate intervention of the international community at this critical juncture and reducing tensions through diplomacy.
Ultimately, India’s message is extremely clear and balanced that any form of violence or piracy is intolerable to international peace. New Delhi stands firmly behind regional peace, maritime sovereignty and the right to safe navigation. India will remain in constant touch with all its international partners, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and maritime organizations in the coming days to find a permanent and peaceful solution to this crisis.