Growing concerns in India over Red Sea attacks

Houthi strikes have caused freight costs to surge, put lives of Indian seafarers at risk

Apprehension is mounting in India over the economic fallout of the crisis in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden region, which could deal a US$30 billion (S$40.3 billion) blow to India's external trade in the next six months.

Freight costs have shot up as ships take a detour to avoid potential rebel attacks, which also put the lives of Indian crew members on vessels transiting the dangerous waters at risk.

While the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, there has also been an unexpected resurgence in Somali pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden region.

On Jan 17, Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Genco Picardy - with nine Indians among its 22-member crew - suffered a Houthi drone attack in the Gulf of Aden.

This prompted an Indian Navy ship to respond to its distress call.

No casualties were reported, and the vessel was later cleared for its journey, reportedly to southern India.

This was the fourth known attack on a ship with Indian seafarers since December, with at least two of these vessels carrying crude oil destined for India.

The third-largest seafarer-supplying country, India accounts for around 9 percent of the world's seafarers.

The country has found itself increasingly caught in the geopolitical crossfire that has billowed out of the Middle East.