LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1380
ANSWERED ON- 09/02/2024
DESIGNATION OF HOUTHI AS TERRORIST ORGANISATION
1380. SHRI MANISH TEWARI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to designate the Houthi militant group present in Yemen as a terrorist organization, if so, the details thereof;
(b) if not, whether the Government recognize the Houthi militants present in Yemen as the de-facto/de-jure regime that administers certain areas of North-Yemen;
(c) whether the Government consider the recent actions of the Houthi rebels, blocking the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as an act of terrorism, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has taken note of the recent hijacking of the ship Galaxy Leades bound for India by the Houthis; and
(e) whether the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait blockade by the Houthis is affecting India, if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide a solution for it?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)
(a & b) Designation of an organisation as terrorist is covered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and declaring any organisation as terrorist is considered as per the provisions of the Act by the relevant government departments. Government of India recognises the internationally recognized Government of Yemen based in Aden.
(c to e) India supports the principle of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and has expressed concern at the instances of targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea impacting our trade/commercial linkages and endangering the lives of crew and ships. India is closely monitoring the developments in the region. Indian Navy is deployed in the Indian Ocean Region towards safety of vessels and seafarers at sea.
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