Operation Sankalp
India's Maritime Security Mission in the Gulf
Operation Sankalp was launched on June 19, 2019, by the Indian Navy in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf of Oman following attacks on merchant vessels in June 2019, attributed to Iran in a context of escalating US-Iran tensions. The operation's mandate is to ensure safe and secure passage of Indian-flagged merchant vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and Gulf of Aden. Indian warships deployed under Operation Sankalp perform escort duties, gather maritime domain awareness, deter hostile actors through presence patrols, and coordinate with merchant vessel operators. The operation reflects a key shift in India's naval posture — from a coastal/regional navy to a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific and IOR, consistent with Prime Minister Modi's 2015 SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
- Launched: June 19, 2019
- Trigger: Attacks on merchant vessels in Gulf of Oman, June 2019
- Area of operation: Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden
- Mandate: Escort and protect Indian-flagged merchant vessels; maritime domain awareness; anti-piracy
- Operating authority: Indian Navy, under Ministry of Defence
- SAGAR vision (2015): India as net security provider in IOR; coined by PM Modi during Mauritius visit
● Tracked since March 02, 2026 · last seen July 31, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes