India monitoring developments along Red Sea maritime route: MEA
| 2023-12-21
Representative image.
India is part of international efforts to ensure safe shipping, MEA says
India is monitoring developments in the Red Sea region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (December 21, 2023) amid global concern over recent attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial shipping along this crucial maritime route.
"India has always been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping and that is something that we are interested in," MEA Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
India is part of international efforts to ensure safe shipping in the Arabian Sea, Bagchi added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu had shared concerns regarding the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea in the wake of attacks by Houthi rebel groups during a telephone conversation on December 19, 2023.
According to a statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, which is threatened by the aggression of the Houthis, instigated by Iran, and the global interest in preventing attacks on the global economy and trade, as well as the Indian and Israeli economies.
Prime Minister Modi noted that freedom of navigation is an essential global necessity that must be ensured, the statement added.
Recent weeks have seen numerous vessels being attacked by the Houthis. According to news reports, the Iran-backed rebels say that they are targeting ships in the Red Sea with links to Israel in protest against its military offensive in Gaza. This has raised concerns about the impact on the passage of oil, grain and other goods on this important global trade route.
"India has always been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping and that is something that we are interested in," MEA Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
India is part of international efforts to ensure safe shipping in the Arabian Sea, Bagchi added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu had shared concerns regarding the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea in the wake of attacks by Houthi rebel groups during a telephone conversation on December 19, 2023.
According to a statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, which is threatened by the aggression of the Houthis, instigated by Iran, and the global interest in preventing attacks on the global economy and trade, as well as the Indian and Israeli economies.
Prime Minister Modi noted that freedom of navigation is an essential global necessity that must be ensured, the statement added.
Recent weeks have seen numerous vessels being attacked by the Houthis. According to news reports, the Iran-backed rebels say that they are targeting ships in the Red Sea with links to Israel in protest against its military offensive in Gaza. This has raised concerns about the impact on the passage of oil, grain and other goods on this important global trade route.
Mamata Banerjee Challenges Election Commission in Supreme Court
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has filed a petition against the Election Commission's decision to freeze the TMC's name and symbol.
| 2026-09-19
Telangana High Court Disqualifies MLA Danam Nagender Amid Political Fallout
The Telangana High Court disqualifies MLA Danam Nagender, sparking reactions from the BJP and BRS, who criticise the Congress government.
| 2026-09-19
Scottish Sikh Man Receives Bail in India After Nine-Year Detention
Jagtar Singh Johal has been granted bail in India after nearly nine years of detention related to alleged terrorism offences.
| 2026-09-19
Delhi Police Investigate Gang-Rape and Murder of 16-Year-Old Girl
A tragic case in Delhi sees four teenagers accused of gang-rape and murder, with shocking details emerging about the victim's death.
| 2026-09-19
Maldives Completes $150 Million Repayment to India After Extensions
The Maldives repays a $150 million loan to India, settling the last tranche after several extensions. India absorbed nearly $45 million in interest payments.
| 2026-09-19