#SecurityScan 71: Indian Navy’s rescue operation in Arabia Sea, India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ in Rajasthan & more

The Indian Navy has deployed ships and aircraft to maintain enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations in the North/Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.

This article is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India’s national security.

News in Brief

Chinese mouth piece Praises PM Narendra Modi

  Global Times, a prominent state-run Chinese newspaper, has praised India’s strategic confidence and proactive approach in shaping a distinct “Bharat narrative”.  

   Zhang Jiadong, the director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, highlighted India’s remarkable achievements over the past four years in his opinion piece that was published in the state-run newspaper on January 2. It also acknowledged India’s economic growth, improvements in urban governance, and a shift in attitude towards international relations, notably with China. “On the one hand, India has made great achievements in economic development and social governance. Its economy has gained momentum and is on track to becoming one of the fastest-growing major economies,” Zhang wrote in the article. How do we analyse the praise by global Times..? Global Times does not always represent the views of Chinese government. In fact China uses Global times for carrying out propaganda warfare and also to find out responses to what Global times as said. We should judge China by its actions on the LAC and not get swayed by praise in global Times. 

The Latest Indignity for China’s Flawed Recovery

 Key Asian economies more than weathered the country’s disappointing post-Covid expansion. A rethink of what matters in the region may be in order. China’s disappointing recovery appears to be suffering another indignity. Neighbors whose economic fortunes were supposed to be tied to the heft of the country’s rebound from the pandemic seem to be doing pretty well without it. Far from being pushed into a slump, some bellwethers had a thoroughly respectable year. Singapore, which had been dogged for part of 2023 by fear of recession, finished strongly. South Korea’s economy closed out December with solid momentum. Markets across Asia have been obsessed with when the Federal Reserve will begin to cut interest rates; the prospect of the People’s Bank of China further reducing borrowing costs is met with a yawn. 

Beijing’s dilemma if DPP wins Taiwan presidential election: what level of response?

 After threats, missiles, fighter jets, charm offensives, temporary blockades, trade restrictions and cyber campaigns, it may expand its playbook even further. Grey zone tactics – the use of non-military moves to strong-arm adversaries – are another option, and offer a measure of deniability. 

Mothballing assault ships ‘will spell the end of Royal Marines’

 Grant Shapps proposes retiring HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark to free 200 sailors amid personnel crisis for the Royal Navy Two amphibious assault ships are to be mothballed under government plans to make up for a severe sailor shortage in what critics have described as “the beginning of the end for the Royal Marines”. Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, has put forward proposals to retire HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark from active service. 

Countering External & Internal Security Challenges

Liberian ship hijack: Navy acts after 15 Indian crew on board vessel hijacked near Somalia coast

  The Indian Navy on Friday rescued the crew of a merchant vessel after its attempted hijack in the Arabian Sea and said it had not found any pirates on board. An Indian Navy warship intercepted the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk bulk carrier less than a day after it had received a report that the vessel had been hijacked about 460 nautical miles off Somalia.About five to six armed people boarded the vessel on Thursday, according to a report received. “The entire crew is safe and the ship is on its way to its destination, scheduled to arrive on Jan. 12.”The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy. The hijacking and attempted hijacking of commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea resumed in December after a six-year lull. Experts believe pirates have been encouraged by U.S.-led anti-piracy naval forces diverting their attention to the neighbouring Red Sea to thwart attacks there by Houthi rebels. India is not part of the U.S.-led Red Sea task force.

Indian Navy continues to monitor maritime security situation in Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden

 The Indian Navy has deployed ships and aircraft to maintain enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations in the North/Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. Task Groups have investigated numerous fishing vessels and boarded vessels of interest in the last week. The Navy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with national maritime agencies and is committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers in the region.  

Countering Pakistan & Chinese Drone Warfare

 Government aims to deploy an indigenous anti drone system along the western border in six months to counter drone activities, particularly from Pakistan. Global events, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, underscore the importance of India staying ahead in drone and anti-drone technologies. Israel’s effective use of drones against Hamas and the U.S. navy’s interception of Houthi drones in the Red Sea emphasize the need for India’s navy to acquire anti-drone equipment. The evolving warfare landscape, characterized by asymmetrical tactics, highlights a significant gap for India, especially in the civilian drone space where Chinese competition persists despite an import ban. Deploying an indigenous anti-drone system would be a crucial milestone in enhancing India’s defense capabilities. 

Lessons for India

 The evolving nature of warfare involves asymmetrical tactics. Notably, even the U.S. navy refrains from using next-gen weapons against Houthi drones due to cost considerations. India faces a significant gap, especially in the civilian drone space, where Chinese competition persists despite an import ban. Deploying an indigenous anti-drone system, if realized, would signify a crucial milestone in India’s defense capabilities. 

China appoints Admiral Dong Jun new defence minister

 Even as Chairman Xi Jinping promised that Taiwan would be “reunified” with the mainland, China’s newly appointed defence minister was making himself comfortable in the office of his predecessor, who disappeared after being ensnared in a scandal. 

Foreign militants outnumber local terrorists in J&K

 Jammu and Kashmir experienced a significant increase in foreign militants than local terrorists in 2023, with 50 out of 72 terrorists killed by security forces. The remaining 91 militants, including 61 foreigners, remain active in the region, including the Rajouri-Poonch region. 

‘Pakistan, PoK-based 23 terrorists declared ‘proclaimed offenders’

   A special UAPA court in Jammu and Kashmir has declared 23 terrorists from Kishtwar district, operating in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as proclaimed offenders. The move is seen as a significant step towards addressing security challenges in the district. 

Four Manipur police personnel and three BSF soldiers injured in attacks by militants

 Reacting to the escalating violence, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and Committee on Tribal unity (CoTU) have declared 24-hour shutdown in all Kuki-Zo areas (from midnight of January 3 to Jan 4) to protest against the alleged atrocities of the Meitei state forces and to demand their removal from all Kuki-Zo districts. 

Indian Army to provide passes for Army Day events: Here’s how and where to get entry passes

 Indian army has established a help desk for the public to obtain passes for the upcoming Army Day events. The help desk will be open from Wednesday to Friday, between 10 am to 5 pm. Passes will be given on a first come first serve basis. 

Defence Ministry inks contracts worth Rs 802 cr for military equipment with Jupiter Wagons, BEML

 The Ministry of Defence has finalized two contracts, amounting to Rs 802 crore, for the acquisition of military equipment. Jupiter Wagons will supply 697 Bogie Open Military (BOM) Wagons for Rs 473 crore, while BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) will provide 56 Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment (MMME) Mark II at a cost of Rs 329 crore. 

India has not sent any artillery ammunition to Ukraine: MEA

 On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a “useful” phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba focusing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Kyiv’s peace formula and ways to advance bilateral ties. The phone conversation came days after Jaishankar paid a five-day visit to Russia during which he held extensive talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and called on President Vladimir Putin. 

India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ commences in Rajasthan

   The inaugural India-UAE joint military exercise, ‘Desert Cyclone,’ commenced in Rajasthan involving 45 personnel from each force. Troops from the UAE’s Zayed First Brigade joined the Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment. Running until January 15 in Mahajan, Rajasthan, the exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability in sub-conventional operations, especially in desert terrain, aligning with UN peacekeeping principles. Activities involve joint surveillance, search operations, and urban combat drills, aiming to bolster cooperation, exchange best practices, and deepen bilateral relations between the two nations, highlighting their shared security objectives. 

BHEL making India self-reliant in energy, infra; contributing to defence, space sector:

 Gurjar also appreciated BHEL’s efforts towards green energy with a special mention to the MoUs (memorandum of understanding) signed by the company with Coal India and NLC India for commercial size coal gasification projects. Speaking on the occasion, heavy industries secretary Kamran Rizvi shared that for an organisation to have its own properties, gives confidence and motivation to its employees. 

Rahul Rasgotra takes over as ITBP DG

 IPS officer Rahul Rasgotra took charge as the new director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a paramilitary force tasked to guard the India-China Line of Actual Control. Rasgotra was part of the 1989-batch police officer of the Manipur cadre. 

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Supply Chain Security and the Impact of Truckers’ Strikes

 The recurring occurrences of truckers’ strikes consistently shed light on the vulnerability inherent in short-term supply routes, as evidenced by disruptions between Gujarat and Maharashtra. Recent global events, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and conflicts in West Asia, have further laid bare the fragility of supply chains. These disruptions not only underscore the susceptibility of supply chains but also contribute to an escalation in costs. Despite advancements in trade ties, automation, and AI-assisted logistics, the unpredictable nature of geopolitics, socio-cultural influences, legal factors, and the exclusion of stakeholders from policy decisions can significantly impact supply chains. The interconnectedness of global supply chains, spanning from raw materials to finished products across land, air, and sea, is a product of globalization that cannot be easily unravelled. While some countries express a desire for supply chain “sovereignty” post-Covid, modern economies are inherently designed to be part of a connected world, facilitated by digital connectivity. Supply chains exhibit a butterfly effect, where minor disruptions in critical chains can lead to ripple effects affecting end-users. For instance, the Russia-Ukraine war halted grain exports from Ukraine, causing concerns about a global food shortage. Challenges in reducing dependence on China were evident during the Covid pandemic, particularly in the shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) necessary for medicine production. In addressing challenges such as driver shortages, AI is increasingly integrated into supply chain logistics. Automation and AI technologies are being prioritized in research and development for road freight, with efforts to modularize critical paths for rerouting in case of disruptions. India, should enhance its logistics infrastructure. Increasing the share of rail freight, currently at 27% and limited to 11 commodities, is recommended to minimize disruptions. The longstanding concept of dedicated freight corridors needs expedited implementation. While the government’s GatiShakti initiative, encompassing a comprehensive logistics national plan, is acknowledged as well-conceived, its substantial implementation and movement are deemed necessary. 

Supreme Court Directs SEBI to Conclude Adani Group Probe within Three Months

   Nearly a year after Hindenburg Research, a U.S.-based short-seller, published a report accusing the Adani Group of manipulating share prices, the Supreme Court has rejected the transfer of the investigation to a special investigation team or the CBI. Instead, the court has instructed the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the country’s market regulator, to finalize its inquiry into two pending cases within three months. The Supreme Court’s decision came in response to multiple petitions seeking a court-monitored or CBI investigation into Hindenburg’s allegations. One petitioner based the case on a report from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists. The OCCRP report accused the Adani Group of directing investments into publicly traded stocks through ‘opaque’ funds. Notably, one of OCCRP’s donors is an organization founded by controversial American billionaire George Soros, who, in February of the previous year, suggested that PM Modi would need to address concerns raised by investors and parliamentarians regarding the Adani controversy. The court emphasized that unverified reports from third-party organizations cannot be treated as conclusive evidence. Despite opposition allegations of SEBI’s lackadaisical investigation, the Supreme Court has expressed confidence in the regulator. The Hindenburg and OCCRP reports have not deterred the U.S. government from participating in an Adani project through one of its agencies. In November of the preceding year, it was announced that the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation would invest $553 million in Colombo West International Terminal Pvt Ltd, a consortium involving Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd and two Sri Lankan entities. The responsibility now lies with SEBI to conclude its probe with. 

#COUNTERING CHINESE MULTI DOMAIN , GREYZONE, HIGHBREED WARFARE

Artillery shells from restive Myanmar region hit southwest China town: Global Times report

 Five people in a Chinese town near the Myanmar border were injured by stray artillery shells from across the border amid ongoing fighting between Myanmar’s junta and rebels. The incident occurred in Zhenkang, Yunnan province, with shells straying from Laukkai in Myanmar’s Kokang region.  

Abrupt dismissals point to Xi Jinping’s quiet shake-up of China’s military

 Nine high-ranking Chinese military figures were recently removed as delegates to the country’s Communist Party-run legislature, without official explanation. The move indicates that President Xi Jinping’s latest offensive to root out alleged corruption and other misconduct in the People’s Liberation Army has been gaining momentum and is focused on the politically sensitive agencies responsible for developing weapons and military installations. 

Taiwan reports China sent 4 suspected spy balloons over the island, some near key air force base

 China regularly sends navy ships and warplanes to waters and airspace close to Taiwan, and its use of balloons to collect intelligence could be a new stage in its campaign of intimidation against the island. 

#HAMAS ISRAEL WAR #LESSONS FOR INDIA

US warns Houthis to cease attacks on Red Sea vessels or face potential military action

   ​A senior Biden administration official declined to detail rules of possible engagement if the attacks continue, but underscored that the Iranian-backed Houthis should “not anticipate another warning” from the U.S. and its allies. 

US Braces for High-Stakes Decisions Over Houthi Red Sea Strikes

 The US and its allies have weighed striking Yemen’s Houthi militants after telling them to either halt their attacks on ships in the Red Sea or face unspecified action. Washington and a dozen nations this week warned the Iran-backed Houthis would “bear the responsibility of the consequences” if they persisted with their attacks in the crucial maritime trade artery. Several military and naval experts interviewed by Bloomberg have interpreted this as a threat of imminent strikes against the group, though such a move runs the risk of making matters worse, so more limited action is also a possibility. —