India-bound oil tanker hit by Houthi missiles In Red Sea

In the latest escalation of maritime unrest off the coast of Yemen, Houthi rebels have once again targeted international shipping, raising significant concerns over the safety of vital sea routes, including those leading to India. On Friday, April 26, a Panama-flagged tanker M/T Andromeda Star en route from Russia to India encountered two separate missile attacks southwest of the Yemeni port of Mokha. The first attack caused an explosion near the vessel, while the second involved two missiles, resulting in damage. This incident was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations security agency and confirmed by The U.S. Central Command.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree has claimed responsibility for the attack, targeting the British oil ship,  M/T Andromeda Star, with anti-ship ballistic missiles. The US Central Command confirmed the attack on the Andromeda Star and reported no injuries to the crew but minor damage to the ship. This incident marks a resurgence in Houthi attacks, aligning with their intent to target hostile targets in the Red Sea and adjacent waters.

The geopolitical ramifications loom large, as worries about safeguarding crucial maritime routes disrupt trade flows and exacerbate regional tensions. In response to previous attacks in the Red Sea, India's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Sunjay Sudhir, emphasised the critical need for establishing an alternative trade route for transporting goods from India to Europe. He stated that India has begun collaborating with the UAE to commence efforts on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), aiming to establish an alternate supply route.