US Invites India to Join Naval Coalition in Red Sea

The US has invited India to join the multi-national naval coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter threats posed by Yemen’s Houthi militants in the Red Sea, according to media reports quoting sources. India has been wary of joining the US led coalition since it apprehends backlash from the Gulf countries especially Saudi Arabia Qatar which are close to the Palestinian cause according to shipping industry sources. India has been maintaining its naval task force in the Red sea channel to protect the interests of Indian merchant navy ships.

This coalition, under the Combined Maritime Forces, seeks to ensure maritime security and protect global shipping routes, which Houthi attacks have increasingly targeted.The Houthi attacks on vessels passing through the Red Sea route since November have forced shipping companies to avoid the vital trade route. Two India-linked vessels, MV Chem Pluto and MV Sai Baba, were targeted by drone strikes in late December.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said Operation Prosperity Guardian will involve countries like the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain. More than 40 countries have joined the United States in condemning the Houthis’ attacks, but more global action is needed. “

“We have a vested interest and have been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping. That is something we’re interested in. …I think there was some communication regarding this task force,” said ArindamBagchi, the then-MEA official spokesperson.. While India is a member of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), it has been cautious about accepting the US invitation to join Operation Prosperity Guardian. Like France and Italy, India has preferred to maintain a separate naval presence in the region rather than join a US-led maritime coalition to combat the Houthi attacks.