After the United States, along with its allies, launched attacks in Yemen, President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the targeted strikes were a clear message that the escalation of attacks by the Houthi rebels against commercial vessels would not be tolerated.
This week, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a maritime coalition aimed at beefing up security in the southern Red Sea. More than 20 nations have signed on to the initiative so far, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Emphasising India's support for free movement of commercial shipping, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi while referring to the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea, said that this is something India is interested in and will continue to monitor.
"I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea," Austin said in a statement.
Operation Prosperity Guardian will involve the navies of: Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain, UK and US. The task force falls under the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational alliance tasked with defending the world's shipping lanes.