"21 of our ships...protecting international shipping": EAM Jaishankar on India's growing stature in world amid tensions in Red Sea

New Delhi [India], April 29 : Referring to the significant deployment of Indian Navy ships to secure the shipping routes amid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday stressed that 21 Indian Navy ships have been deployed in the distressed region and are protecting the international shipping routes, keeping trade costs down, adding that the endeavour has actually upgraded India's stature in the world.

"With all this tension between people firing missiles and drones and piracy, 21 of our ships are actually on service out there, who are actually protecting international shipping. They keep trade costs down because if you can protect shipping, insurance costs is less, shipping cost is less. So how do you get relevant? And of course, most important, how do you actually get the respect of the world," EAM Jaishankar said during an interactive session on Northeast India's integration with Southeast Asia and Japan at Kirori Mal College in Delhi.

"And you get the respect of the world just like you get the respect of people, which is you have to perform better. You actually get the respect of the world just like you get the respect of people, which is you have to perform better," he added.

EAM Jaishankar also highlighted India's economic growth and its ongoing journey to become the third largest economy in the world and said that the decisions India makes at home are keenly watched by the world.

"If the student does well, if the student delivers or exceeds expectations, I think you get respect. So how we do at home is not just a matter for us at home. We are the largest country in the world. We are the fifth largest economy, soon we'll be the third. How we do at home is watched by everybody abroad. What decisions we make at home, is also very keenly followed by the world," he said.

"So if we are now in the coming weeks going to decide our future in whatever way we wish, it's not just a conversation amongst ourselves. It's a conversation or a discussion in which the other 6 billion people are also tuned in. These are all actually aspects of why Bharat matters. But I do want to share with you as someone who travels a fair amount, what is actually our global image today," he added.

The Houthis have vowed to cease their attacks on one of the world's busiest maritime routes if Israel halts its offensive in Gaza. These attacks have not only disrupted global trade but also impacted traffic at Israel's Eilat port.

In Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, large-scale protests have been a weekly occurrence since the conflict began, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel and its allies. Initially focused on Israeli-linked ships in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, the Houthis have since broadened their targets to include US and UK vessels following military actions by Washington and London in Yemen.

Earlier on Sunday, Indian warship, INS Kochi responded to the maritime security incident involving an attack on a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, MV Andromeda Star PM, Indian Navy said in a statement.

The distressed oil tanker was intercepted by the Indian Navy ship and an aerial recce was carried out by the Indian Navy helicopter to assess the situation.

Additionally, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was also deployed onboard the distressed vessel for residual risk assessment.

A total of 30 crew (including 22 Indian nationals) are reported to be safe and the vessel is continuing its scheduled transit to the next port, the navy said in its statement.

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