The recent actions of the US and the Houthi rebels of Yemen have drawn significant global attention. These Iranian-backed insurgents have been targeting commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea, raising serious security concerns for global trade and India’s strategic interests.
While India’s naval forces have played a critical role in neutralizing the threats posed by the Houthis, few are aware that this isn’t the first time India has confronted these militant forces.
In this detailed account, we explore India’s historical encounters with the Houthis, how the nation has successfully thwarted their advances, and what lies ahead in this ongoing geopolitical conflict.
Who are the Houthis?
The Houthi rebels (officially known as Ansar Allah) are an Iran-backed Shia militia group operating in Yemen. Originating as a resistance movement against the Yemeni government in the 1990s, they have since grown into a formidable force, overthrowing the government in 2014 and seizing control of the capital, Sanaa. The ongoing Yemen Civil War has seen them wage asymmetric warfare, launching ballistic missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and now, international shipping lanes.
India, a nation with strong economic and maritime interests in the region, has had multiple military engagements with the Houthis over the years.
Timeline of India’s Encounters with the Houthis
1. Operation Rahat (2015) – Evacuating Indians Amidst Houthi Insurgency
- March 2015: The Houthis, after taking control of Sanaa, launched a military offensive against the port city of Aden.
- April 2015: As the violence escalated, India launched Operation Rahat, one of its largest civilian evacuation missions.
- Led by the Indian Navy and Air Force, the operation rescued more than 4,600 Indian nationals and 970 foreign citizens from 41 different countries.
- INS Sumitra, a patrol vessel, played a key role in securing the evacuation despite Houthi-controlled waters.
Impact: This operation not only underscored India’s global humanitarian leadership but also demonstrated its military’s ability to navigate war zones.
2. Red Sea Confrontation (2024) – Direct Military Engagement
- December 2023 – January 2024: Houthi rebels intensified attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
- January 2024: India deployed INS Chennai and INS Kochi, two state-of-the-art destroyers, to safeguard Indian commercial interests.
- February 2024: The Indian Navy successfully neutralized multiple drone and missile threats, including a suicide drone attack on an Indian-owned tanker.
- March 2024: Indian warships responded to a distress call from an Israeli-linked vessel, preventing a potential Houthi hijacking.
Impact: This engagement reaffirmed India’s naval dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its commitment to protecting international trade routes.
Why Does India’s Response Matter?
1. Strategic Importance of the Red Sea
- Over 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, making it a critical supply route for India.
- A disruption in this region directly impacts India’s energy security and trade with Europe and Africa.
2. India’s Role as a Security Provider
- By deploying naval assets to counter the Houthi threat, India reinforces its position as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.
- India’s proactive approach ensures free and open maritime trade routes, benefiting not only Indian commerce but also global supply chains.
3. The US-Led Coalition and Its Role
- The United States has taken decisive military action against Houthi threats, launching airstrikes and naval operations to deter further attacks on shipping routes.
- The US Navy, alongside allied forces from the UK and other Western nations, has been systematically destroying Houthi missile and drone launch sites in Yemen.
- By engaging in coordinated efforts with the US-led coalition, India aligns itself with global security interests, enhancing its strategic partnerships and demonstrating its commitment to global maritime security.
4. Deterrence Against Future Threats
- India’s swift action sends a clear message to adversaries that any threat to its economic interests will be met with force.
- This also sets a precedent for India’s approach to regional security, showcasing its ability to respond decisively to threats beyond its immediate neighborhood.
5. Strengthening Diplomatic Leverage
- India’s involvement in countering the Houthi threat provides diplomatic leverage in the Middle East, enhancing its relations with Gulf countries and Western allies.
- With stronger diplomatic ties, India can secure better trade agreements and strategic military partnerships, reinforcing its status as a rising global power.
What’s Next? The Future of India’s Houthi Policy
Given the evolving security landscape, India’s engagement with the Houthis will likely include the following:
- Stronger Naval Presence: Increased patrolling by warships and aircraft in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.
- Diplomatic Pressure on Iran: Encouraging Tehran to curb Houthi aggression through diplomatic backchannels.
- Enhanced Military Cooperation: Collaborating with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US Navy to secure regional stability.
Conclusion
India’s faceoff against the Houthi rebels is a testament to its growing global military prowess and strategic foresight. From successfully executing Operation Rahat in 2015 to launching precision naval strikes in 2024, India has proven that it is fully capable of protecting its citizens, trade routes, and strategic interests in the region.
Beyond its military engagements, India’s actions signal a larger shift in its global defense strategy. As the world navigates increasingly complex security challenges, India’s ability to act decisively in safeguarding maritime trade routes enhances its geopolitical credibility. Its growing role as a net security provider strengthens its diplomatic ties with Gulf nations, Western allies, and major global powers.
With continued strategic investments in naval technology, defense diplomacy, and international cooperation, India is solidifying its position as a regional powerhouse. The Red Sea conflict serves as an important case study of how India, working alongside global partners, can counter emerging threats and shape the future of international security.
As tensions continue to evolve, India’s proactive stance ensures that its economic interests remain safeguarded, its strategic alliances grow stronger, and its reputation as a formidable global force remains undisputed.
Key Takeaways:
✔ India has successfully thwarted the Houthis in two major operations (2015 & 2024), proving its naval and military readiness.
✔ The Red Sea remains a vital trade route, and securing it is crucial for India’s economy, energy security, and global commerce.
✔ India’s swift military action and collaboration with the US-led coalition reinforce its global defense capabilities and strategic partnerships.
✔ Future strategies will involve stronger naval deployments, coordinated international efforts, and diplomatic pressure on Iran.
✔ The US military’s decisive strikes on Houthi assets have played (and will play) a major role in weakening the rebels, with India ensuring regional maritime stability through its own interventions.
With these strategic moves, India continues to reinforce its reputation as a rising superpower with a formidable military presence in the world’s most volatile regions.