India Must Secure Bab-el-Mandeb

India Must Secure Bab-el-Mandeb Through Maritime Leadership

Syllabus:

GS-2: Government Policies & Interventions

GS-3: Various Security Forces & Agencies & Their Mandate, Security Challenges & their Management in Border AreasInfrastructure

Why in the News ?

Rising tensions in West Asia have shifted global attention from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, after reports that Iran directed the Houthis (Ansarallah) to close the strategic waterway if the United States attacked Iranian infrastructure.Since nearly one-third of India’s trade passes through this route, any disruption poses serious risks to India’s trade, energy security, and maritime interests.

Why the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is Strategically Important:

• The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
• It connects:

○ Red Sea

○ Gulf of Aden

○ Arabian Sea

○ Indian Ocean

• It lies between:

○ Yemen (Asian side)

○ Djibouti and Eritrea (Horn of Africa)

• It provides access to the:

○ Suez Canal

○ Mediterranean Sea

○ European markets

• Nearly one-third of India’s international trade transits through this route.
• It is essential for:

○ Global oil shipments.

○ LNG transport.

○ Container shipping.

○ Europe–Asia connectivity.

• Any blockade would:

○ Increase shipping costs.

○ Delay cargo movement.

○ Raise insurance premiums.

○ Affect global supply chains.

• The Strait remains a vital pillar of India’s maritime security strategy.

Key points: Strait of Bab el-Mandeb

• Located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa (Djibouti and Eritrea).
• Connects:

○ Red Sea

○ Gulf of Aden

• Provides access to the Suez Canal.
• One of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
• Essential route linking Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Bab el-Mandeb means “Gate of Tears.”
• It is a strategic gateway between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Nearly one-third of India’s trade moves through this route.
• Djibouti hosts military bases of several major powers, including France, Japan, and others.
• Maritime disruptions here directly affect global trade, energy security, and India’s economic interests.

Important Operations

• Operation Prosperity Guardian (2023) – U.S.-led multinational mission to safeguard navigation in the Red Sea.
• Indian Navy Anti-Piracy Operations – Continuous deployment for maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

International Organisations

• United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)

Important Resolution

• UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024)

○ Condemned attacks on merchant vessels.

○ Reaffirmed Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea.

International Law

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982

• Guarantees Transit Passage through international straits.
• Upholds Freedom of Navigation.
• Protects lawful commercial shipping.
• Provides the legal framework governing international maritime routes.

Important Indian Maritime Initiatives

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
• Mission-Based Deployments
• IFC-IOR
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

Background: Lessons from the 2023–24 Red Sea Crisis

• Following the Israel–Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Houthis declared support for Palestine.
• Between November 2023 and March 2024, they:

○ Attacked over 40 commercial vessels.

○ Targeted ships allegedly linked to Israel.

• In response:

○ The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian (December 2023).

○ The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2722 (2024) supporting freedom of navigation.

○ Israel carried out retaliatory strikes.

• The Indian Navy rescued the crew of a burning British tanker in January 2024.
• Consequences included:

○ Nearly 2,000 ships avoiding the Suez Canal.

○ Diversion via the Cape of Good Hope, increasing voyage time and costs.

○ Egypt losing nearly 25% of Suez Canal revenues.

○ Israel’s Port of Eilat suffering severe financial losses.

• The crisis demonstrated the vulnerability of global maritime trade to regional conflicts.

Emerging Threats and Their Impact on India

• Reports suggest Iran may encourage the Houthis to block the Strait if conflict with the U.S. escalates.
• Whether this threat materializes or remains strategic signalling, it creates uncertainty in maritime trade.
• Potential consequences for India include:

○ Disruption of one-third of India’s external trade.

○ Delays in crude oil and LNG imports.

○ Higher freight and insurance costs.

○ Increased inflation due to supply-chain disruptions.

○ Threats to Indian merchant vessels.

○ Safety concerns for thousands of Indian seafarers.

• Unlike the Hormuz Strait, imposing restrictions on Indian sailors in Bab el-Mandeb would be impractical due to heavy commercial traffic.
• India’s economic growth and energy security would therefore be significantly affected.

India’s Strategic Interests in the Red Sea Region

• India seeks:

○ Freedom of navigation.

○ Secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).

○ Stability in West Asia.

• India maintains:

○ Strong energy partnerships with Gulf nations.

○ Expanding trade with Europe.

○ Strategic connectivity initiatives.

• The Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) provides maritime domain awareness.
• India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine emphasizes:

○ Regional maritime cooperation.

○ Collective security.

○ Rules-based maritime order.

• Ensuring uninterrupted navigation through Bab el-Mandeb aligns with India’s aspiration to become a leading maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.

Proposed Maritime Strategy for India

• India should proactively establish a Trade Protection Task Force.
• Potential partners include:

○ France.

○ Japan.

• These countries:

○ Maintain military bases in Djibouti.

○ Share interests in secure maritime trade.

○ Conduct regular naval exercises with India.

• The proposed task force should:

○ Escort commercial vessels.

○ Deter attacks on merchant shipping.

○ Conduct coordinated naval patrols.

○ Share maritime intelligence.

○ Ensure rapid emergency response.

• The IFC-IOR can provide:

○ Maritime surveillance.

○ Real-time information sharing.

• France and Japan can complement Indian efforts through:

○ Logistics.

○ Forward deployment.

○ Operational coordination.

• The initiative should remain a trade security mechanism, not a military alliance.

Importance of Regional Diplomacy

• India should simultaneously intensify diplomatic engagement with:

○ Saudi Arabia.

○ Egypt.

○ United Arab Emirates.

○ Oman.

• Egypt has a major economic stake due to:

○ Suez Canal revenues.

• Saudi Arabia depends on uninterrupted maritime exports.
• Gulf nations may now view Houthi attacks as a direct threat to their own interests.
• India should:

○ Build consensus for maritime stability.

○ Encourage coordinated regional responses.

○ Maintain strategic neutrality while promoting international law.

• Regional diplomacy would reduce dependence on extra-regional military intervention.
• Such engagement strengthens India’s image as a responsible net security provider.

Significance for Global Maritime Governance

• The crisis reinforces the importance of:

○ Freedom of navigation.

○ Rules-based maritime order.

○ Respect for international maritime law.

• Collective maritime security is essential to protect:

○ International trade.

○ Global energy supplies.

○ Civilian shipping.

• Theatre-specific naval cooperation is preferable to large military alliances.
• Joint Rules of Engagement (RoE) can reduce risks of escalation.
• India has both:

○ Growing naval capabilities.

○ Diplomatic credibility.

• Successful leadership in Bab el-Mandeb would:

○ Strengthen India’s global maritime profile.

○ Enhance Indo-Pacific strategic influence.

○ Demonstrate commitment to SAGAR and the vision of a secure Indian Ocean.

Challenges:

• Rising Iran–U.S. tensions may further destabilize the Red Sea.
• Continued Houthi attacks threaten commercial shipping.
• Absence of a unified international maritime response.
• Divisions within the UN Security Council hinder collective action.
• Growing geopolitical rivalry among major powers.
• High marine insurance premiums increase logistics costs.
• Limited capacity of commercial shipping to absorb prolonged disruptions.
• Threats to Indian merchant vessels and seafarers.
• Risk of accidental military escalation in congested waterways.
• Maintaining strategic neutrality while safeguarding national interests.
• Coordination challenges among multiple naval forces.
• Potential retaliation by non-state actors.
• Increased burden on India’s naval resources.
• Dependence on imported energy heightens India’s vulnerability.
• Balancing diplomacy with deterrence remains a complex policy challenge.

Way Forward:

• Establish a multinational Trade Protection Task Force led by India.
• Strengthen naval cooperation with:

○ France.

○ Japan.

• Enhance the role of the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
• Conduct regular coordinated naval patrols.
• Develop common Rules of Engagement (RoE).
• Increase intelligence sharing among partner navies.
• Expand maritime surveillance using satellites and drones.
• Deepen diplomatic engagement with:

○ Saudi Arabia.

○ Egypt.

○ Oman.

○ UAE.

• Promote adherence to UNCLOS and international maritime law.
• Improve maritime emergency response capabilities.
• Diversify India’s energy import routes.
• Strengthen Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR).
• Encourage shipping companies to adopt advanced maritime security measures.
• Promote regional dialogue involving Gulf countries, African littoral states, and major maritime powers.
• Continue implementing the SAGAR doctrine to reinforce India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

Conclusion:

The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is central to global commerce and India’s economic security. As geopolitical tensions intensify, India must combine naval capability, regional diplomacy, and a rules-based maritime approach to ensure uninterrupted navigation, protect international trade, and reinforce its role as a leading maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.

Source: TH

Mains Practice Question:

“The security of strategic maritime chokepoints has become integral to India’s economic resilience and geopolitical influence.” Discuss the significance of the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb for India. Examine how naval diplomacy, regional partnerships, and adherence to international maritime law can safeguard India’s maritime interests and ensure a rules-based order.