India secures trade, power with new naval role in Middle East

As the Red Sea continues to roil after turbulent months, a new current is emerging: India's cautious yet determined ascent as a military player in West Asia. Driven by the confluence of interests between these regions and the critical need to secure vital shipping lanes, India's maritime presence is undergoing a transformative shift. 

While not aligning directly with the US-led mission against the Houthis in Yemen — which has most recently encompassed strikes against facilities operated by the group — the Indian navy's independent operations set a precedent for India's evolving military posture in West Asia and mark a departure from its traditional strategic restraint.

Since the Houthis began ramping up missile attacks against commercial ships, shipping giants such as Maersk have been spooked into shifting container traffic away from the vital Bab el-Mandab strait, significantly reducing Red Sea commerce and disrupting global trade flows. The alternative route, a detour around Africa, adds costs to already strained global supply chains. Export-reliant Asian nations such as India face the brunt of the consequences, and oil prices could spike if the standoff persists. The situation in the Red Sea has triggered a surge in anxiety among Indian exporters, who may withhold shipments valued at $30 billion as a result. 

Warships deployed