New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs stated on Thursday that India is concerned about the current escalations in the Red Sea.
In a weekly press briefing on Thursday, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), responded to questions about whether India has discussed the Red Sea situation with other major powers and what New Delhi’s position is on the matter, saying, “It is a matter of concern, not just for us, but for several international players.” We have been talking about this with our counterparts; the French President was here, our External Affairs Minister visited Iran, and the President of the United Arab Emirates was here as well.”
“So, it is a matter of concern. We want to address maritime security, we want to address freedom of navigation, as to how we can secure these lanes,” the MEA spokesperson said.
The MEA spokesperson also highlighted that the Indian Navy is also active, and providing support to several vessels, not only in India but in other nations as well.
The Indian Navy has been widely appreciated for its rescue efforts too.
“You are also aware that the Indian Navy is active in this area, in the Gulf of Aden, in the Arabian Sea, and they have been providing support… to several vessels, not just Indian, but of other nations as well, and of course, supporting Indian sailors on them, which has been widely reported and widely appreciated,” Mr Jaiswal added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had previously discussed the “perceptible increase in threats” to the safety of maritime commercial traffic in a significant portion of the Indian Ocean and stated that there have been some attacks in the “vicinity of India” amid challenges with maritime security, including those in the Red Sea.
Threats to maritime commerce, according to him, also affect India’s economic and energy interests.
Additionally, the EAM stated that nobody would gain from this circumstance.
“This fraught situation is not to the benefit of any party and this must be clearly recognised,” he also said.
There have been attacks on cargo ships in the Indian Ocean region.
