India has deployed three warships as a timely response after Houthi rebels attacked a cargo ship that was bound for India in the Red Sea region. Warships INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata have been deployed near the Red Sea to shield the cargo ships from any offensive from rebel groups. These warships are reportedly equipped with anti-ship BrahMos missiles coupled with sophisticated weaponry.

A drone attack took place against the crude oil ship MV Chem Pluto, which was sailing the Red Sea waters hoisting an Indian flag. 21 Indian nationals and one Vietnamese national were on board when the ship was attacked. The incident took place 201 nautical miles from the Indian port of Dwarka. After this, there was an attack on MV Saibaba, a ship carrying the Hebbon flag, in the Red Sea.

The United States has confirmed that Houthi Shiite groups are behind this attack. The dubious role of Iran is also under scrutiny after the US jumped into the fray accusing the Islamic nation of instilling chaos in the Red Sea regions, as retaliation for Israel’s Gaza offensive.

Since October 17, Houthi militants have attacked about fifteen commercial ships. An Israeli ship was also hijacked by the Houthis. The Houthi rebels have warned that they will attack more ships connecting Israel until the war in Gaza reaches an end.

Major shipping companies in countries like Italy, France, Switzerland and Denmark have temporarily suspended cargo movement on the main trade route connecting Europe and Asia due to fear of Houthi offensive.

Food and fuel shortages and price hikes could turn into a new normal in many countries if the cargo shipment remains impeded. Beyond that, it could even set the stage for a confrontation between Iran and the United States. 20 countries have joined the defence coalition announced by the US to counter the attack by the Houthis. Meanwhile, it is also reported that the senior military general of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Razi Mousavi, was killed in an Israeli attack on Syria.

The death of Razi Mousavi will be crucial as Iran may finally break their proxy attacks to go into a full-fledged war on Israel. Mousavi was a close associate of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020. All countries, including India, have a responsibility to ensure that the conflagration going on in the Red Sea, the busiest shipping lane of modern times, does not spread to the rest of the world.