28 Dec 2023 : Indian Express

Indian Express

28- December-2023

1. Taking on the drone

Topic: GS3- Internal Security This topic is not much relevant in the context of Prelims but more for Mains in the context of maritime security.

Context:

A suspected armed drone strike on the chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto, flying the flag of Liberia, occurred 200 miles off the coast of Porbandar, according to a recent event reported by the United Kingdom Merchant Traffic Organisation on December 23. Concerns were raised by India’s security apparatus when the attack started a large fire on board the ship.

Houthi Tactics and Regional Response:

• With Iran’s support, the Houthi rebels have begun using extreme militant methods such as missile assaults on civilian ships in the Western Indian Ocean and aerial drone bombings.
• Since mid-November, pressure has been mounting on maritime forces, thus the increase in violence was expected.
• The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in response to mounting threats, with assistance from allies like the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and the Seychelles.
• India is faced with a dilemma as the Houthis expanded their scope of operations and objectives.

India’s Dilemma and Possible Courses of Action:

• India is eager to support the coalition led by the United States, but it has difficulties in defeating the Houthi rebels.
• India’s strategic calculations are affected by the recent drone attack on a commercial ship in the Arabian Sea, which may require a reevaluation of its engagement.
• Before joining the coalition, India must take into account the veracity of reports that the attack was carried out in Iran.

Challenges in Anti-Drone Warfare:

• Due to the scarcity of efficient technologies for defending against aerial drone strikes, anti-drone warfare presents difficult obstacles for maritime forces.
• Although they are feasible, jamming and spoofing are not suitable for merchant ships.
• Even though they are efficient, directed energy weapons like laser systems and high-power microwave weapons are too costly for the majority of regional navies.

India’s Potential Course of Action:

• Considering the difficulties, India can consider joining the coalition headed by the United States.
• The Indian Navy is in a good position to participate because it recently joined the Combined Maritime Forces as a full member.
• More specifically, Operation Prosperity Guardian is probably going to be led by Combined Task Force 153, which is in charge of Red Sea security.
• India could contribute to the establishment of a secure transit route in the Western Indian Ocean as a coalition member.

Geopolitical Dynamics and Operational Challenges:

• The Houthis could impede opposition operations by taking advantage of geographical divisions within the coalition.
• The withdrawal of France, Italy, and Spain is an example of how disagreements among major maritime countries can lead to possibilities for militants to enter less defended areas of the Indian Ocean, such as the Arabian Sea.

Challenges for the Indian Navy:

• The navy commanders of India understand how hard it is to fight the Houthi tactics.
• The dynamic nature of anti-drone warfare at sea necessitates strong interoperability among coalition partners, operational coordination, and creativity in order to counter armed drones.
• Although India is currently acquiring counter-drone technology, cooperation with more capable allies is necessary to effectively respond to armed drones.

Conclusion:

• The recent armed drone attack underlines how urgently improved situational awareness and defences against drone strikes in coastal areas are needed.
• To effectively resist the rising threat of armed drones in the Indian Ocean, maritime forces, especially the Indian Navy, need to venture outside of their comfort zones, strengthen operational capabilities, and adapt to shifting tactics.

Who are the Houthis?

With roots in Yemen’s northwest Saada province, the Houthis are a sizable clan that are part of the Zaidi Shia sect. The Houthi movement, officially called Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), began in the 1990s against the dictatorship of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Today, the Houthis are one faction in a bloody civil war that has raged in Yemen since 2014. They currently control territory in the west and northwest of Yemen, including the capital Sana’a. The Houthis, backed by Iran, are a part of what Iran calls, “The Axis of Resistance” — an informal anti-Israel and anti-West political and military coalition that it leads. Other notable groups in the Axis include Hezbollah and Hamas.

PYQ: What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2022) (150 words/10 m)

Practice Question: Analyze the limitations of existing anti-drone technologies and the potential role of international collaboration in addressing maritime security threats. (150 words/10 m)

2. What we don’t ask, don’t get

Topic: GS2 – Governance This topic is not much relevant in the context of Prelims but more for Mains in the context of governance, policies, and challenges.

Context:

Starting with popular electoral promises like increased MSP for crops, free power, and cash distribution, the article highlights the promises made by political parties in the most recent state elections. On the other hand, it raises concerns about the neglect of important matters such as access to cheap public transport, clean drinking water, healthcare, and education. This prepares us for a closer look at the difficulties pertaining to these vital services.

Vicious Cycle of Centralization:

• The article explores the difficulties in delivering basic utilities like drinking water and highlights the need of having local expertise.
• It critiques the centralised method by citing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which is run under Delhi’s supervision.
• The article makes the case that a standard, one-size-fits-all template ignores regional and local differences, making it more difficult to find practical answers to drinking water problems.

Intellectual Capacity and Education Deficit:

• The focus of the analysis moves to the demand side and asks why communities don’t pressure politicians to provide them with necessities like clean water to drink.
• It contends that, in contrast to material objects like gas cylinders, these demands call on the community to express themselves collectively, requiring mental capacity.
• The article bemoans the loss of intellectual curiosity in the community and highlights the shortcomings in student scientific aptitude and the absence of citizen science in higher education as disclosed in the ASER report.

Consequences of Knowledge Deficit:

• The article emphasises the detrimental effects of the knowledge gap, especially the failure to identify fundamental developmental issues before elections.
• It argues that even if these problems exist, a more accountable and regional science is required to properly address them.
• The recent natural disasters in the Himalayan states highlight the need for a science that is transparent, responsible, and understandable to the general public.

Centralization, Governance, and Diversity:

• The article explores how political discourse is affected by centralization, directing attention towards topics covered by financialization, privatisation, and the current bureaucratic framework.
• According to the article, this goes against India’s federal ethos and causes a lack of attention to important developmental issues.
• According to the article, decentralisation of research is essential for the growth of a complex and diverse country like India.

Conclusion:

• The analysis highlights the necessity for decentralised, region-specific responses by critically examining the gap between political pledges and crucial developmental challenges.

Practice Question: How can a more region-specific approach enhance the effectiveness of programs like the Jal Jeevan Mission, considering the diverse socio-economic and geographical factors across different states in India?       (150 words/10 m)

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