Indian Navy Deploys Assets to Track Hijacked Liberian Vessel
The Facts
The Indian navy has deployed a maritime patrol aircraft and a destroyer, the INS Chennai, in response to a hijacking attempt on Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk in the Arabian Sea on Thursday.
On Thursday evening, MV Lila Norfolk reported to the UK Maritime Trade Operations portal that five to six armed persons had boarded it. The aircraft established contact with the crew early Friday, confirming they were safe.
The Spin
Narrative A
India's robust naval power is, once again, on display in the Indian Ocean region. Its substantial presence has played a key role in keeping the lanes in one of the world's most important maritime trade routes open and largely safe. India must develop its naval capability further to augment its significant geostrategic location on the world map.
Narrative B
The Indian navy's biggest challenge is its slow expansion. It has to account for conventional threats like a rising China as well as asymmetric ones like pirates and the Houthi rebels. India's naval forces may not have the resilience to handle this combination of hazards. New Delhi's desired rise as a maritime power can't happen unless rapid and massive investment and adjustments are made.