New Delhi, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Ocean is once again facing an old threat as Somali pirates are re-emerging after nearly a decade of relative calm. Since late April 2026, several hijacking incidents have sparked concerns among international maritime security agencies.
This situation is particularly alarming for India, which has experienced two incidents near its maritime borders this year. On July 1, 2026, the Indian Navy took swift action against an attempted piracy attack on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden, demonstrating that India does not take threats in the Indian Ocean lightly. The attack occurred approximately 300 nautical miles northeast of Djibouti.
Following the report of the attempted hijacking of the MV Golden Arsenal, the Indian Navy’s warship INS Trikand was deployed. The ship had a crew of 21, including one Indian national. Amid fears of an attack, the crew took refuge in a secure area known as the “citadel.” The Navy monitored the situation and conducted a search on July 2, confirming the crew’s safety and the absence of any pirates.
In a similar incident on May 27, 2026, an attempt to hijack the cargo ship MV Mashallah-1 was thwarted. The INS Kolkata responded promptly, causing the pirates to flee. The Navy subsequently escorted the cargo ship safely out of Indian waters. Since 2008, the Indian Navy has maintained a presence in the Gulf of Aden to combat piracy.
These incidents highlight that piracy is not a distant threat for India. The waters where these events occurred are crucial for India’s trade and energy supply. Somali pirates once posed such a significant threat that the Gulf of Aden became one of the world’s most dangerous maritime routes. However, international naval patrols, improved vessel security, and local actions in Somalia had significantly reduced attacks.
Now, circumstances have changed. Ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea and West Asia have strained international naval resources. Many warships and surveillance assets are currently engaged in other sensitive maritime areas, leading to increased activity around the Somali coast and the Arabian Sea.
Reports indicate that since late April, eight ships have been hijacked, raising fears that Somali piracy could become organized again. Today’s pirates are employing different tactics compared to those of 2010-11. They are using hijacked vessels as “motherships” to extend their reach and seek new targets further out at sea.
Modern technology has also enhanced their capabilities. Reports suggest they are utilizing advanced communication systems, such as the Starlink satellite network. This means the threat is not limited to small boats; pirates are now leveraging better communication and larger vessels to extend their operational range.
India’s primary concern is that the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden are vital corridors for its maritime trade. The western coast of India connects to the global maritime trade network. Routes around West Asia and Africa are essential for transporting energy, raw materials, and finished products. A resurgence of Somali piracy could impact not only vessel security but also increase maritime insurance costs, necessitate longer shipping routes, and raise transportation expenses.
The ongoing crisis in the Red Sea has already affected global shipping, and a new threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden could complicate matters further. In recent years, the Indian Navy has positioned itself not just as a protector of Indian vessels but also as a regional maritime security provider.
Piracy peaked around 2011, leading to a significant international business in hijacking ships and holding crews for ransom. Following multinational naval operations and enhanced vessel security measures, this threat was nearly eradicated.
While the current situation has not reached those alarming levels, the incidents in 2026 serve as a significant warning. If regional conflicts persist, maritime surveillance weakens, and socio-economic instability in Somalia continues, pirates may find renewed opportunities to re-establish their networks.
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