Indian Navy Deploys Two Destroyers To Gulf Of Oman To Reassure Shipping Vessels In Light Of Heightened US-Iran Tensions

With tensions rising in the Straits of Hormuz, the busiest passage in the world for shipping and a crucial route for oil and natural from the Middle East, the India Navy has deployed two warships in the Gulf of Oman to “reassure” Indian vessels in wake of two foreign oil tankers being attacked amidst escalating tensions between the US and Iran in the region according to reports from The Times of India.

Indian Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma on Thursday said “We have deployed destroyer INS Chennai and patrol vessel INS Sunayna under Operation Sankalp to re-assure Indian flagged vessels operating/transiting through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman after the maritime security incidents in the region.”

The Navy is using its state of the art aerial surveillance P-8I long-range patrol aircraft in the area. And Captain Sharma added, “Moreover, the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, which was launched by the Navy in December 2018, with its central hub at Gurugram, is also keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf region.”

The Indian Directorate General of Shipping issued two advisories on 13 and 16 June to all Indian-flag vessels to undertake all appropriate self-protection measures. The Navy spokesperson further added, “The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of Indian maritime trade and merchant vessels operating in the region and contributing towards maintaining a stable and peaceful Indian Ocean Region.”