In News:

The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA has proposed a significant joint anti-piracy naval exercise with the Indian Navy, scheduled for the end of May 2025. This initiative reflects the growing strategic cooperation between India and the European Union in maritime security, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

Key Highlights

Proposed Exercise:

• The exercise, if approved, will involve two European warships and the Indian Navy practicing advanced counter-piracy operations, tactical manoeuvres, and inter-naval communications.
• This drill goes beyond the routine Passage Exercises (PASSEX) and aims to enhance interoperability, coordination, and mutual confidence between the two navies.

Strategic Objectives:

• Strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean, ensuring it remains a free, open, sustainable, and inclusive area.
• Address resurgent piracy threats, especially off the Horn of Africa, amid ongoing instability in the Red Sea due to Houthi rebel activity.
• Build operational synergy to respond swiftly to piracy incidents-EUNAVFOR claims the capability to tackle pirate cases within 48–72 hours.

Recent Developments:

• Piracy incidents near the Horn of Africa have declined recently, but the threat persists, necessitating continued vigilance and cooperation.
• In 2024, joint anti-piracy efforts led to the apprehension of 70 suspected pirates, with the Indian Navy responsible for 44 captures.
• The Indian Navy is recognized as a major actor in the region, with both sides regularly coordinating through maritime information fusion centers.

Operation ATALANTA: Overview

Aspect                                           Details

Launch Year                               2008

Initial Focus                                Preventing piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast

Expanded Mandate         - Protecting World Food Programme (WFP) vessels
                                            - Enforcing UN arms embargo on Somalia
                                            - Monitoring drug and arms trafficking
                                            - Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
                                            - Disrupting illicit charcoal trade

Area of Operations              Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea

Recent Activities               - Joint drills with Indian Navy
                                            - Successful coordination in anti-piracy operations, e.g., MV Ruen hijacking

India–EU Maritime Engagement: Significance

• Geopolitical Context:
  • The Indian Ocean is a critical global trade route, and its security is vital for international commerce.
  • The resurgence of piracy and instability in the Red Sea has heightened the need for robust maritime partnerships.
• Strategic Partnerships:
  • The EU and India share a vision of maintaining maritime order and security.
  • The vastness of the Indian Ocean requires significant assets and robust logistics, making cooperation essential.
• Professional Interactions:Encounters with other navies, including China, are described as professional, underscoring the importance of multilateral engagement.