WATERLOO, Ontario — The rising might of India and the growing menace of piracy collided recently in the Gulf of Aden, a 2.59-million-square-km stretch of waterway between Somalia and Yemen. This came after India's demonstration of prowess in space with the successful launch of a lunar probe. As a symbol of scientific development and international stature, the success should garner India a share of the lucrative commercial satellite launch business.

On Nov. 15, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was one of the world leaders gathered in Washington to discuss ways and means of rescuing the world from the grave financial crisis afflicting it.

Then, on Nov. 19, an Indian Navy frigate, the INS Tabar, engaged, set ablaze and probably sank a pirates' mother ship in the Gulf of Aden.