In the midst of rising tension in the Gulf of Oman, the Indian Navy has initiated ‘Operation Sankalp’ as a significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of Indian ships operating in the area. This operation has been triggered by recent maritime incidents, including the attacks on two oil tankers for which the U.S. holds Iran responsible. Amid such escalating tension, Indian Navy Ships Chennai and Sunayna have been mobilized to the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf for carrying out maritime security operations.
Indian Navy’s Response: Operation Sankalp
Under Operation Sankalp, the Indian Navy has deployed two of its warships, Chennai and Sunayna, in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to carry out maritime security operations. Besides ship deployment, the security measures also involve aerial surveillance by the Indian Navy aircraft in the affected areas to closely monitor the situation. The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region is playing a crucial role by keeping an eagle eye on the movement of ships in the Gulf region.
The Strategic Importance of the Persian Gulf
Also known as the Arabian Gulf, the Persian Gulf is a shallow marginal sea of the Indian Ocean sandwiched between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran. Its strategic importance lies in its vast oil and natural gas reserves, with an estimated two-thirds of the world’s proven oil and one-third of the world’s proven natural gas reserves. The gulf, which sees a tremendous amount of sea trade, is heavily trafficked with many large tankers moving oil from the large marine terminals located in Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and other locations to various parts of the world.
| Persian Gulf Facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 990 km |
| Width | Varying from a maximum of around 340 km to a minimum of 55 km in the Strait of Hormuz |
| Borders | Bordered by Iran to the north, northeast, and east; Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the southeast and south; Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to the southwest and west; Kuwait and Iraq to the northwest |
A Glimpse at the Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman is the northwest arm of the Arabian Sea sitting between the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula (Oman) and Iran. It stretches up to 560 km in length and connects with the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf serves as the sole navigation route from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean into the Persian Gulf, making it vital for the world’s major oil exporters and importers.
