US Ambassador Praises Indian Navy For Ensuring Safety Of The Indian Ocean

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti praised the Indian Navy’s prompt and swift actions in rescuing sailors involved in merchant ship operations during an upcoming gathering of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Garcetti highlighted the vital role performed by the Indian Navy and praised its dedication to protecting Indian crew members as well as providing support to sailors from other countries that are under attack from terrorist organisations and pirates in the Indian Ocean.

Garcetti stated that India has become a major participant in the Asian region and that its actions have more significant strategic implications. India, the largest nation in the area, has established itself as a dependable support for countries looking to maintain security in their marine operations.

Garcetti described the US-India relationship as a multiplicative force, highlighting its significant power in addressing global concerns instead of an additive collaboration. He observed that the two biggest democracies in the world work together in ways that go beyond simple addition.

The US Ambassador also discussed the strong defence cooperation between the US and India, including several joint projects like the recent deal to co-produce GE engines for military aircraft. Garcetti highlighted that technology sharing between the US and India proves the US’s high appreciation for India in defence cooperation.

Garcetti’s supportive words regarding India’s naval actions and the strengthened defence ties highlight the growing relevance of the cooperation on the international scene. The dedication of the Indian Navy to maintaining maritime safety in the Indian Ocean has been recognised globally, establishing India as a dependable partner in maritime security endeavours.

#INSSumitra Carries out 2nd Successful #AntiPiracy Ops – Rescuing 19 Crew members & Vessel from Somali Pirates.
Having thwarted the Piracy attempt on FV Iman, the warship has carried out another successful anti-piracy ops off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing Fishing Vessel Al… https://t.co/QZz9bCihaU pic.twitter.com/6AonHw51KX

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 30, 2024

Image Credits: Indian Navy/Twitter

This comes after a recent event in which the Indian Navy’s INS Sumitra conducted its second successful Anti Piracy Operation, rescuing a vessel and 19 crew members from Somali pirates. The fishing vessel Al Naeemi and her crew, who were all Pakistani nationals, were saved from 11 Somali pirates by the Navy after it successfully put an end to a piracy attempt on the FV Iman.

Following the rescue of the MV Iman, INS Sumitra was called upon once more to track down and stop a further Iranian-flagged FV that pirates had hijacked. INS Sumitra intercepted the FV on Midnight, 29 Jan 24, forcing the crew and the vessel to be released safely by using her integral helo and boats effectively and coercively posturing.

This rescue also stops fishing vessels from being used as mother ships for more acts of piracy against merchant vessels owing to the quick and determined actions of the Mission Deployed Indian Navy warship in the Southern Arabian Sea, some 850 nm west of Kochi.

Reference: Economic Times, Defence Monitor

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