ISLAMABAD – Indian Navy’s claim of Net Security Provider in Indian OceanRegion stands busted as it abruptly called off its much touted MaritimeSecurity Operation, Operation Sankalp, in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf.
According to reports, the Indian navy ships escorting Indian oil tankershave silently left the Gulf of Oman. The ignominious and sudden end of themuch publicized Operation Sankalp raises eyebrows about the capability andcapacity of the Indian Navy to become a regional policeman in the IndianOcean Region.
Following the maritime security incidents of attacks on oil tankers inPersian Gulf in June this year, Indian Navy instead of joining US led forcedeployed two of its surface combatants in the area to provide support forIndian-flagged vessels operating and transiting through Persian Gulf andGulf of Oman.
As per Indian Navy claims, aerial surveillance by their aircraft was alsobeing undertaken in the area. Following the commencement of so calledOperation Sankalp, Indian media was replete with statements about IndianNavy teams boarding Indian flag carriers and ensuring their safety inendangered Strait of Hormuz area.
Efforts undertaken by the Indian Navy as part of the Operation Sankalp wereprojected as mega event indicating Indian wherewithal to secure its sealanes of communication from the Persian Gulf region which carriedapproximately 55 percent of the energy requirements. According to thereport, the much hyped Indian operation has been abruptly ended and bothIndian war ships vacated the Straits of Hormuz, thus concluding theoperation whose objectives remain unfulfilled as situation in Hormuz stillremains volatile.
The ignominious closure of Operation Sankalp appears to have more to dowith deficiencies of Indian naval capabilities than external factors.Contrary to Indian claims of a blue water navy capable to perform netsecurity provider role in the Indian Ocean, its capability falls far shortof any such title.
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Reliable sources also reported after recent developments in Occupied Jammuand Kashmir, Indian Navy cancelled schedule goodwill visit of its navalships to Gulf countries which substantiate the fact that so- called BlueWater Navy is struggling to meet its operational requirement.
Even Modi’s Doctrine of “Pursuit of Political Influence through greaterMaritime Power” during his last term could not help Indian Navy to gatherdesired military potential.
Moreover, calling off of Operation Sankalp is a testament of poor logisticssupport for prolonged sustainability at sea, shortage of manpower andmaterial requirements that plague the Indian Navy.
Contrary to the tall claims made through the pliant Indian media, theIndian Navy could not maintain a sustained presence in the Strait of Hormuzand was forced to withdraw.
