Maritime Security Challenges in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea: India’s Strategic Response

Maritime Security Challenges in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea: India’s Strategic Response

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Why in News

• India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, highlighted potential security threats in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and waters near East African countries. He emphasized the Indian Navy’s proactive measures to enhance maritime security and safeguard vital sea routes. The remarks were made during an event commemorating 2024 as the ‘Year of Naval Civilians.’

Red Sea:

• The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. It is approximately 1,200 miles (1,930 km) long and up to 190 miles (305 km) wide.
• Bordering Countries:
  • African Side: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
  • Asian Side: Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
• The Red Sea contains some of the world’s hottest and saltiest seawater.
• It is one of the most heavily travelled waterways globally, connecting to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, facilitating maritime traffic between Europe and Asia.
• The sea occupies part of a large rift valley between the African and Arabian tectonic plates, contributing to its significant depth and unique marine ecosystems.
• Since November 2023, Yemen’s Houthi group has conducted over 100 attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, leading to the sinking of two vessels and the deaths of at least four seafarers.

Gulf of Aden:

• The Gulf of Aden is a deepwater basin that forms a natural sea link between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.
• Bordering Countries:
  • Northern Coast: Yemen.
  • Southern Coast: Somalia and Djibouti.
• The Gulf is strategically located, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, making it a vital route for maritime trade.
• The Gulf of Aden has been a hotspot for piracy and militant activities, including attacks by Houthi rebels, which threaten the security of this crucial maritime passage.

East African Countries Bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:

About Djibouti:

• Situated at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, bordering Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
• Hosts several foreign military bases due to its strategic position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global maritime traffic.

About Eritrea:

• Lies along the southwestern coast of the Red Sea, north of Djibouti and east of Sudan.

About Somalia:

• Occupies the Horn of Africa, with its northern coast along the Gulf of Aden.

About Ethiopia:

• Landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, east of Sudan and south of Eritrea.
• Historically had access to the Red Sea but became landlocked after Eritrea’s independence. Recent agreements, such as the one with Somaliland granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, have heightened regional tensions.