In a recent address at IIM Mumbai, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized India’s growing capability, influence, and reputation, asserting that these factors necessitate its assistance to other nations in times of crisis. Specifically, he highlighted the Indian Navy’s recent rescue missions, addressing both piracy and missile drone threats.
During the event, Jaishankar revealed that the Indian Navy had deployed ten ships to tackle piracy and missile drone issues. He cited a recent incident where INS Vishakhapatnam extinguished a fire and rescued a tanker’s crew, which had fallen victim to a drone. Additionally, he commended the Indian Navy for rescuing Pakistani and Iranian fishermen from pirates.
Jaishankar stressed that India must be viewed as a responsible country, asserting that neglecting crises in the neighborhood would undermine its reputation. He illustrated India’s commitment to global assistance by referencing past instances, including naval deployments in the Red Sea, aid during the Turkiye earthquake, and support for Sri Lanka, Mozambique, and other nations during various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing parallels to the Ramayana, Jaishankar argued that, like a king, a country should uphold a standard and serve a higher purpose. He concluded that India’s actions contribute to a positive global perception.
The minister also highlighted the Indian Navy’s recent achievements, noting two major rescue operations within 36 hours. INS Sumitra successfully thwarted piracy attempts on Iranian-flagged vessels, rescuing 36 crew members, including 17 Iranians and 19 Pakistanis. Another notable operation involved INS Visakhapatnam responding to a distress call from MV Genco Picardy after a drone attack.
In summary, Jaishankar’s address underscored India’s commitment to assisting neighboring countries during crises and highlighted recent successful rescue missions by the Indian Navy.
