Operation Sankalp

In News

• Indian Navy’s ship Trikand is currently deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as part of Operation Sankalp.
  • The deployment aims at instilling confidence in the maritime community and contributing to regional maritime security

Operation Sankalp

About:

• Operation Sankalp was started in June 2019 after there were explosions on board two oil tanker ships in the Gulf of Oman amid increased tensions between Iran and the U.S.

Aim: 

• It was launched to assure the safety and security of the Indian vessels.
• To maintain a frontline ship in the region to ensure safe and secure movement of trade, instil confidence in the maritime community and contribute to regional maritime security.

Significance:

• India is dependent on about 85% of its demand for oil on imports. In 2019-2020, around 62% of India’s oil imports valued at approximately $66 billion came from the Gulf region.

Persian Gulf (also called the Arabian Gulf)

• The Persian Gulf is the body of water bordering Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman. 
• Its length is around 990 km and its width varies from a maximum of around 340 km to a minimum of 55 km in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The region produces nearly one-third of the world’s oil and holds over half of the world’s crude oil reserves as well as a significant portion of the world’s natural gas reserves.

Gulf of Oman

• It is the northwest arm of the Arabian Sea, which lies between the eastern portion of the Arabian Peninsula (Oman) and Iran.
• It is 560 km long and connects with the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
• It is a shipping route for the oil-producing area around the Persian Gulf.

Source: PIB