22 January 2025 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) The Red Sea region has become a focal point of concern due to the skirmishes that have developed around it. Discuss the significance of the crisis for India. Also, highlight India’s role as a ‘net security provider’ in the region.  (150 Words/10 Marks)

 

Answer:

Red Sea is a narrow inland sea that connects the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean through the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Bab El Mandeb.

In recent times, a series of attacks by the Houthi militia of Yemen, including highjacking, drone and missile strikes have made the Red Sea, a crucial marine route via the Suez Canal, unsafe for cargo ships.

Significance of the Red Sea for India:

1. Key trade route – commodities like basmati rice and tea pass through it + integral for trade with Europe and North Africa [almost 24% of exports and 14% of imports of India];

2. Disruptions have led to rising cost in ocean freight and insurance + longer voyage times, leading to delays and shortage, raising prices by almost 30% as ships now taking the longer Cape of Good Hope route; + threat of rising fuel prices for India due to high dependency on imports from the region.

3. Escalating threats have led exporters to withhold approx. 25% of their cargo ships from transiting through the Red Sea [Federation of Indian Export Organizations];

4. Strategic significance:

a. The detention of the Israeli ships has proved the seriousness of the Yemeni armed forces in waging the sea battle, regardless of its costs and consequences.

b. Increasing dependencies on Chinese BRI – China is actively projecting China-Europe freight trains, which are part of the BRI, as an alternate route;

c. Strategic location of the Red Sea makes it important for India’s naval strategy;

d. Rise of non-state actors, like Houthis, who espouse anti-Indian sentiments, challenge India’s security;

e. Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have been hotspots for piracy; India has been actively involved in anti-piracy efforts in the region.

5. Energy security: (a) India, being heavily reliant on oil imports from West Asia, uses the Red Sea as a transit route; (b) Bab El-Mandeb Strait is a strategic chokepoint for India’s energy security.

Role of India as a Net Security Provider in the region:

1. India is a resident player that occupies nearly 40 percent of the strategic waters of the Indian Ocean.

2. Indian Navy has been undertaking maritime security operations and rendering assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident.

a. INS Chennai closely followed the hijacked MV Lila Norfolk ship and rescued all 21 crew, including 15 Indians, onboard.

3. SAGAR – India’s vision for IOR: (a) provides a mechanism to expand strategic partnerships with countries in Asia and Africa; (b) leverage the Blue Economy + play a significant role in maritime threats such as piracy, terrorism, and newly emerging non-state entities.

4. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): (a) strong track record of providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief – Tsunami (2004), Cyclone Idai (2019); (b) conducted several large-scale evacuation operations [Operation Rahat in 2015].

5. Proactive role in Indian Ocean Naval Symposium – deepens relations with Indian Ocean littoral states + rule-based maritime order; (b) observer at the Indian Ocean Commission – coordinate maritime governance in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

For more such UPSC related Mains Answer Writing, Check Out –21 January 2025 : Daily Answer Writing