*NEW DELHI – Indian Navy’s claim of Net Security Provider in Indian OceanRegion stands busted as Indian Navy abruptly called off its much-toutedMaritime Security Operation, Operation Sankalp, in the Gulf of Oman and thePersian 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 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 the Persian Gulfand Gulf of Oman. As per Indian Navy claims, aerial surveillance by theiraircraft was also being undertaken in the area.

Following the commencement of so-called Operation Sankalp, Indian media wasreplete with statements about Indian Navy teams boarding Indian flagcarriers and ensuring their safety in endangered Strait of Hormuz Area.Efforts undertaken by the Indian Navy as part of the Operation Sankalp wereprojected as a mega-event indicating Indian wherewithal to secure its sealanes of communication from the Persian Gulf region which carriedapproximately 55% of the energy requirements.

According to the report, the much-hyped Indian operation has been abruptlyended and both Indian warships vacated the Straits of Hormuz thusconcluding the operation whose objectives remain unfulfilled as thesituation in Hormuz still remains volatile.