The Indian navy's guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam in the Gulf of Aden responded promptly to a distress call by the U.S.-operated merchant vessel MV Genco Picardy after it suffered a drone attack by Houthi rebels.
The incident occurred at 11:11 pm local time on January 17, 2024, and the naval ship reached the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel within 90 minutes to provide assistance, India's Ministry of Defense said on Thursday.
The attack on MV Genco Picardy underscores the persistent threat of piracy and maritime aggression in the region. The destroyer, which is on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, carries a specialized contingent for such emergencies, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists.
After intercepting the merchant ship, Indian EOD specialists boarded in the early hours of January 18 to ensure the vessel and its crew were safe, and the ship was secure for transit to its next port of call.
The U.S. and other countries have also deployed warships to the region to protect shipping against the Houthi attacks.
Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack on the MV Genco Picardy, which was reported to have 22 crew members on board, including nine Indian nationals. Despite the attack, there were no casualties, and the fire that ensued was under control.
The spokesperson for the Indian navy released photos on X, formerly Twitter, showing the damage to the Genco Picardy.
This action by INS Visakhapatnam is a part of the Indian navy's broader engagement in the region. The Hindustan Times noted on January 7 that the Indian navy had deployed a vessel in the Gulf of Aden to counter piracy threats. This deployment has included operations by marine commandos, known as MARCOs, who previously conducted a rescue operation for the 21-member crew of the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk.
Piracy poses another challenge to shipping in the region in addition to the threat from Iranian-backed Houthi militia fighters in Yemen, who have been attacking vessels they say have links to Israel in what they say is a response to Israel's war on Hamas.
The resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast has become a significant concern after a period of relative calm. The recent hijacking of another ship, MV Ruen, as reported by Newsweek on January 8, indicates that piracy remains a critical challenge in the area. The Indian Navy's presence contributes to maintaining maritime safety and responding to threats.
China now faces a backlash because of its mute response to recent attacks by Houthi groups against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea. But Beijing decided to strike a conciliatory tone on Thursday. "The Red Sea is an important international trade route," China's Commerce Ministry spokesperson said.
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About the writer
Aadil Brar is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian ... Read more
