INDIA-ISRAEL CALL ON RED SEA MARITIME THREATS:

Why in the News?

  • Phone call between Indian PM and Israeli PM on escalating maritime security threats in the Red Sea due to leading to concerns in international traffic.
  • The Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait concerns shipping companies, leading to global initiatives to address the escalating threats.

Indian Response and Initiatives:

  • PM emphasized India’s consistent stand for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
  • Mentioned providing humanitarian assistance in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

International Collective Action:

  • Establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative.
  • Coalition includes the U.S., Canada, U.K., Bahrain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Seychelles, urging UN Security Council action against Houthi militants.
Source: Britanica
About Bab el-Mandeb Strait:

·   Bab el-Mandeb Strait: Located between Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

·   Strategic Waterway: Vital maritime route for global trade, linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

·   Importance: Passage for oil tankers and cargo ships heading to/from the Suez Canal, making it a crucial chokepoint.

·   Security Concerns: Vulnerable to piracy and regional conflicts, impacting international shipping.