The Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is a critical hub for enhancing maritime security and maritime domain awareness (MDA) in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways. Established in 2018, the IFC-IOR was envisioned as a collaborative center that would bring together various nations to share information and coordinate responses to maritime threats. This center is not only a reflection of India’s commitment to global maritime safety and security but also a testament to its growing role in international maritime diplomacy.

The IFC-IOR was born out of a need to address the myriad security challenges that plague the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This area, spanning vast maritime spaces, is prone to various threats, including piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and illegal fishing. The center’s establishment marked a strategic shift in India’s approach to maritime security. It emphasized the importance of collaboration with international partners to ensure a secure maritime environment.

The center’s primary mission is to enhance MDA by tracking commercial and fishing vessels across the Indian Ocean using data from various sources, including space-based and terrestrial sensors. By fostering collaboration through white shipping agreements and other initiatives, the IFC-IOR has become a crucial node in the global maritime security network.

One of the most significant incidents that underscored the importance of the IFC-IOR occurred on December 14, 2023, when the chemical/oil tanker MV Chem Pluto was hijacked. The vessel, reportedly affiliated with Israel, was en route from Saudi Arabia to Mangalore on India’s west coast when it was boarded by six unidentified individuals. The incident marked the first known attack related to the Israel-Hamas conflict at such a considerable distance from the Red Sea.

Upon receiving the hijack report, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) immediately informed the IFC-IOR. The center’s prompt action facilitated the establishment of communication with the vessel’s crew via an Indian Navy maritime patrol aircraft. This early communication was vital in assessing the situation and planning a coordinated response.

The Indian Navy’s INS Kochi, a Kolkata-class destroyer, was swiftly redirected from its anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden to intercept the hijacked vessel. On December 16, INS Kochi reached the MV Chem Pluto’s coordinates, marking the Indian Navy as the first responder to the crisis. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Armada Española soon joined the effort, highlighting the international cooperation fostered by the IFC-IOR.

Negotiation and Rescue Operations

For the next few days, INS Kochi maintained a close watch on the hijacked vessel as it moved towards the Somali coast. The Indian Navy engaged with the hijackers while coordinating its actions with Japanese and Spanish forces. On December 17, as the vessel entered Somalia’s territorial waters, the Indian Navy successfully negotiated the release of an injured crew member, who was subsequently transported to Oman for medical treatment.

However, the crisis was far from over. On December 23, an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) struck the MV Chem Pluto, causing a fire while it was approximately 200 nautical miles off Gujarat’s coast. This attack triggered a rapid response from the IFC-IOR, which deployed a Boeing P8I aircraft to assess the situation. The Indian Coast Guard also played a crucial role, sending surveillance aircraft and the ICGS Vikram to ensure the crew’s safety and contain the damage.

The coordinated efforts of the IFC-IOR, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard not only ensured the crew’s safety but also highlighted the center’s capability to manage complex maritime emergencies effectively.

In another demonstration of the IFC-IOR’s pivotal role in maritime security, the center was instrumental in the rescue operation of the hijacked vessel MV Ruen. This incident began on November 29, 2023, when Somali pirates hijacked the Iranian fishing vessel Al-Ashkaan off the coast of Yemen. The pirates used Al-Ashkaan as a mother ship to hijack the MV Ruen on December 14, 2023, in the central Arabian Sea, 600 nautical miles east of Somalia.

Upon receiving the alert, the IFC-IOR initiated a coordinated response involving international and national partners. Captain Rohit Bajpai, the director of IFC-IOR, played a key role in coordinating the response between the Indian Navy and the concerned shipping company. The center shared crucial information and observed changes in the vessel’s patterns, which were instrumental in planning the rescue operation.

The Indian Navy diverted a maritime patrol aircraft and INS Kochi to assist. Communication with the hijacked vessel revealed that a crew member had been injured during the hijacking. Through negotiations facilitated by the IFC-IOR, the injured crew member was rescued before the vessel could enter Somali territorial waters.

Three months after the initial hijacking, on March 16, 2024, the MV Ruen was intercepted by INS Kolkata, supported by the INS Subhadra, airdropped Marine Commandos (MarCos), a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), and a P8I aircraft. This successful operation ensured the safety of the vessel’s cargo, which was valued at over $1 million.

Legal Implications and the Capture of Pirates

The operation concluded with the capture of 35 pirates involved in the hijackings of the Al-Ashkaan and MV Ruen. These pirates were brought to Mumbai under armed escort on March 23, 2024, marking a significant moment in India’s maritime security history. They are set to face legal action under the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022. This development is noteworthy as it signifies a departure from the usual practice of disarming pirates and setting them afloat on their skiffs. Instead, India has taken a firm stand to ensure that these individuals face justice and cannot regroup to pose further threats.

The incidents involving the MV Chem Pluto and MV Ruen are just two examples of the vital role played by the IFC-IOR in maintaining maritime security. However, the center’s significance extends far beyond immediate crisis response. It represents a strategic shift in India’s maritime security and diplomacy, particularly in the context of the broader Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative.

Launched in 2015, the SAGAR initiative is India’s comprehensive vision for regional maritime security and growth. It aims to strengthen economic and security cooperation with India’s maritime neighbors, counter China’s growing influence in the region, and promote sustainable development. The IFC-IOR is a key component of this strategy, serving as a platform for fostering international cooperation and building trust among maritime nations.

SAGAR’s objectives include enhancing coastal security, building capacity for maritime safety, promoting collective action against maritime threats, and fostering sustainable development through regional cooperation. The initiative has led to various projects, such as the Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CSRS), which enhances surveillance capabilities in partner countries like the Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

The IFC-IOR has become a central node in India’s maritime diplomacy, fostering partnerships with over 25 nations and involving 12 international liaison officers. This collaboration is crucial for developing a comprehensive MDA and addressing the complex maritime security challenges in the IOR. The center’s ability to share real-time information and coordinate responses to maritime threats has made it a trusted regional partner and a vital tool in India’s maritime security strategy.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the significant progress made by the IFC-IOR, several challenges remain. These include issues related to data standardization, jurisdictional limitations, and the need for more comprehensive information analysis. To address these challenges, the IFC-IOR could consider adopting best practices from other MDA initiatives, such as those in Singapore and Madagascar, which integrate air, space, cyber, and maritime domains.

Moreover, the center’s role in maintaining peace and stability amid complex geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing US-Iran conflict, will be a critical test of its capabilities. Strengthening India’s maritime security infrastructure and expanding partnerships will be essential to maintaining a strategic edge over extra-regional powers.

The Indian Navy’s IFC-IOR is more than just a facility; it is a symbol of India’s commitment to global maritime security and a rules-based international order on the high seas. Through its role in critical operations like the rescue of MV Chem Pluto and MV Ruen, the center has demonstrated its capacity to manage complex maritime crises effectively. As India continues to enhance its maritime diplomacy under the SAGAR initiative, the IFC-IOR will remain a cornerstone of its efforts to ensure the safety and security of international maritime trade in the Indian Ocean Region.

In the years to come, the IFC-IOR will likely play an even more prominent role in shaping the future of maritime security, not just for India, but for the entire region and beyond. Its ability to foster international cooperation, strengthen maritime partnerships, and respond to emerging threats will be crucial in navigating the challenges of an increasingly complex and interconnected world.