India's Arabian Sea Rescue Flexes Maritime Muscles To China: Experts

India's naval deployment is part of its "desire to play a larger and more proactive role as a responsible security and development partner," experts said.

Dramatic drone footage showing Indian commandos hunting pirates after an attack in the Arabian Sea illustrates New Delhi's "significant" expansion of a muscular maritime force reflecting global ambitions, analysts say.

The commandos, deployed this month after an attempted hijacking of a merchant bulk carrier, are part of a major increase of naval forces in seas where rival neighbour China has already long expanded its reach.

"It's significant given the geopolitical context" and the aggressive "use of naval assets", said Uday Bhaskar, head of the New Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies think tank.