India to initiate strict action against Red Sea attackers: Rajnath Singh
NEW DELHI : Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, has vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for the assaults on the India-linked shipping vessels, MV Chem Pluto and MV Sai Baba, amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea region. For over a month, attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on vessels using the crucial Red Sea shipping route have heightened uncertainty in the global economy. “The recent drone attacks on the MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and a few days ago on the MV Sai Baba in the Red Sea have been taken very seriously by the Indian government.
The Navy has increased its surveillance of the seas. Whoever has carried out this attack, we will find them even from the bottom of the seas and strict action will be taken against them," said Singh on Tuesday. The Houthis, who are involved in Yemen’s civil conflict, initiated the assaults on shipping vessels with links to Israel, and announced their intention to retaliate against Tel Aviv for its military actions in Gaza, which caused thousands of casualties.
Since mid-November, attacks have disrupted shipping along the Red Sea, an important maritime route linking Asian and European economies through the Suez Canal. In response, several global shipping majors have temporarily halted operations. Two attacks on India-linked ships—on Saturday against MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and on Sunday against MV Sai Baba in the Red Sea— squarely caught India’s attention, given that Indian crew members were on board both ships.
The MV Chem Pluto was transporting crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Mangalore. The US said the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto had originated from Iran. For its part, Tehran has denied deep military involvement with the Houthis.
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