![Defence minister Rajnath Singh](http://media.assettype.com/defencewatch%2F2023-12%2F817ffbea-10da-45c9-97d8-219890459844%2F20231226_192554.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Mumbai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today talked tough about the recent drone attacks on two India-bound merchant vessels, vowing to hunt down the perpetrators to the “depths of the sea.”
The minister said the government had taken the attacks on MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and MV Sai Baba in the Red Sea a few days ago “very seriously”.
He stated that India’s growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred. He added that the Government of India has taken the attacks very seriously and the Navy has increased its surveillance.
The minister assured that the perpetrators of these attacks will soon be brought to justice and strict action will be taken against them.
“India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights,”said Rajnath Singh.
“For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy,” he added.
India has already deployed three guided-missile destroyers — INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata — in various areas to maintain a deterrent presence even as its surveillance aircraft, like the P8i, keep vigil.
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